Category: Nature

Posted on

Food Waste and Climate Change

The environmental and social consequences of producing food that no one eats are massive.

More than a third of food intended for human consumption in the United States is wasted, while at the same time upwards of 26 million people reported they experienced food scarcity.  

When food is discarded, all of the resources put into growing, producing, processing, transporting, preparing and storing are wasted. Food that ends up in a landfill then exacerbates the problem by producing large amounts of methane – a greenhouse gas that is 28 times as potent as carbon dioxide.  

It’s been estimated that 8% of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions could be avoided if food waste was curbed.

This is where individuals can really make a difference when it comes to climate change as 37% of food waste occurs in the home. Despite the complexity of this problem there are plenty of actions we can take to make a difference. 

Meal planning 

  • Planning your meals and making a specific grocery list cuts down buying things we don’t need or over zealous shopping. I am definitely guilty of this when it comes to produce.
  • Making meals from what is available. It can be a fun challenge to make a meal with what’s left in the pantry/vegetable. 

Store food correctly and make use of your freezer 

  • Learn best practices for lengthening shelf life of food.
  • I freeze the rinds of parmesan and use in Minestrone. Freeze things like tomato paste in tablespoon measures if not using the entire jar.

Shop local farmers market and CSA’s 

  • When food is picked in season and locally it tends to stay fresher longer while reducing the carbon footprint of transport and packaging.
  • I would love to hear your favorite markets and CSAs. We have so many great local resources. 
    • Rochester Public Market: The Rochester Public Market is open year-round and offers a wide variety of locally grown produce, meats, and other food items from over 300 vendors. The market is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
    • Brighton Farmers Market: The Brighton Farmers Market is held on Sundays from May through October and offers a variety of locally grown produce, meats, and other food items.
    • Fairport Farmers Market: The Fairport Farmers Market is held on Saturdays from May through November and features locally grown produce, meats, and other food items.
    • K&S Bischoping Farms CSA: K&S Bischoping Farms offers a CSA program that provides members with a weekly share of seasonal produce from their farm in Webster, NY.
    • Mud Creek Farm CSA: Mud Creek Farm offers a CSA program that provides members with a weekly share of fresh, organic produce from their farm in Victor, NY.

Compost 

  • When there is no way to rescue food, composting can limit environmental impact. When food rots in landfills, it creates methane, a potent greenhouse gas. However, when composted in bins by microbes, composted food creates nutrient rich soil, keeping carbon out of the atmosphere. 
  • I would love to give a shout out to Impact Earth, a local Rochester company that I am using for composting. 

Support, Share, Educate 

We can support food recovery programs and policies that limit waste. These are just a few examples of the many food recovery programs that are working to reduce food waste and fight hunger.

  • Impact Earth: Reduce single-use consumption and divert materials from the landfill through: education, access to products and services, and creation of policy and processes.
  • Food Recovery Network (FRN): FRN is a national network of college and university students that works to recover surplus food from their campuses and local communities and donate it to those in need.
  • Feeding America: Feeding America is a national network of food banks that works to reduce food waste by rescuing and distributing surplus food from grocery stores, restaurants, and other food providers.
  • Community Composting: Community composting programs work to reduce food waste by collecting and composting food scraps from households and businesses. The resulting compost can be used to improve soil health and grow more food.
  • Imperfect Foods: Imperfect Foods is a grocery delivery service that sources “ugly” and surplus produce and other food items that might otherwise go to waste.
  • Zero Percent: Zero Percent is a technology platform that connects businesses with surplus food to local food banks and other organizations that serve people in need.
  • Too Good to Go: Too Good to Go is a mobile app that allows users to purchase surplus food from local restaurants and other food providers at discounted prices.

These steps may take a little extra time however they can create cost savings. The average American spends $1,300 annually on food that doesn’t get eaten!

Reducing food waste is one of a few climate solutions that cost almost nothing but delivers massive financial and environmental benefits. I’d love to hear from you on what you are doing to reduce food waste 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2021/02/25/climate-curious-food-waste/

https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/fight-climate-change-by-preventing-food-waste

https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2022/01/24/food-waste-and-its-links-greenhouse-gases-and-climate-change

Posted on

Our Changing Climate, Our Health

There are significant impacts of climate change on the brain, heart and gut

The next time you see your physician, consider discussing the impact that climate change and environmental hazards are having on your health. While the interactions of human health and the environment are complex, we are seeing dynamic and interacting forces that span from the level of personal to global. One of the world’s oldest and most respected medical journals, The Lancet​, has referred to climate change as the “​biggest global health threat of the 21st century​.”

Continue reading “Our Changing Climate, Our Health”
Posted on

Seasonal eating; shift your diet to reflect the bounty of nature’s harvest

As we enter the autumn season, it’s a great time to start thinking about shifting our diets to reflect the bounty of nature’s harvest available in the fall. By focusing on seasonal eating, we can become more in tune with nature, with our body’s’ needs, and on doing what’s best for the environment. 

Continue reading “Seasonal eating; shift your diet to reflect the bounty of nature’s harvest”
Posted on

What’s Your Chronotype?

What is a chronotype? In short, it is an individual difference characteristic reflecting the time of day at which we are at our best.

What is a chronotype? In short, it is an individual difference characteristic reflecting the time of day at which we are at our best.

Fall is upon us, and along with its glorious gifts comes a change in the weather and in the light. Here in Rochester, one of the country’s cloudiest cities, with so few hours of sunshine and shorter days, we strive to move mountains before sunset. But adhering to nature’s light switch may not be advantageous for everyone, as research shows that each individual has an internal chronotype that determines when we truly shine.

What is a chronotype?

In short, it is an individual difference characteristic reflecting the time of day at which we are at our best. We all have a master clock in our brain and many subsidiary clocks ticking throughout our bodies, and not everyone’s clocks run at the same pace. Our chronotype controls our clock, or circadian rhythm, which is a series of behavioral, mental and physical changes that follow a 24-hour cycle. So if you consider yourself an “early bird” or a “night owl,” believe it or not your body is programmed for this classification, based upon your chronotype. And once you know your chronotype, you can work with your body to achieve maximum productivity.

What’s your chronotype? Take the quiz. <<

The assessment of individual chronotypes is important not only for the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders and for predicting the ability to adapt to specific schedules, but also for improving daytime performance and matching sleep schedules to our biology. Extreme evening individuals are at higher risk than morning people of not obtaining sufficient sleep and of performing poorly due to the difference between their circadian rhythm and the social demands of daily schedules. There is also research to show that people have more difficulties in maintaining sleep when their sleep is scheduled at adverse circadian phases.

The good news is, knowing our chronotypes can inspire us to take preventative measures such as using ​light therapy, or exposure to bright artificial light that mimics natural outdoor light. This therapy has long been recommended for Seasonal Affective Disorder, which results in changes in mood, sleep and even eating habits during the fall and winter months, as well as other health issues such as fatigue, memory-related disorders, low energy and more. By taking the ​chronotype assessment​, we’ll know the optimal time to use light therapy according to our individual circadian rhythms and feel more energized throughout the day.

So, while we may not have a say when it comes to Mother Nature, business hours and school bells, knowledge of our chronotypes will definitely determine the ideal time of day to focus on important issues, complete daily tasks, exercise, achieve goals and, ultimately, live more fulfilling lives.

See Upcoming Classes:

October 8: THE SCIENCE BEHIND FOOD CRAVINGS

October 9: HEALTHY HIJACKS FOR TEA AND COFFEE

October 24: EXPLORE THE LINK BETWEEN NUTRITION AND SLEEP STRUGGLES

Posted on

Essentials About Oils

Essentials-About-Oils

Essentials-About-Oils

Each year, we hear about new trends in do-it-yourself health care. Some are worthwhile, while some are a waste of time and money, even dangerous. Lately I have noticed that patients are utilizing essential oils, so I thought I’d take a moment to set the record straight on these popular potions, which claim to cure everything from acne to anxiety.

The “essence” of the plants’ fragrance and characteristics.

Essential oils are highly concentrated oils which have been extracted from plants, and are deemed “essential” because they contain the “essence” of the plants’ fragrance and characteristics. Due to their concentrated nature, however, these oils should be used with care and respect, as misuse can potentially cause harm. Here are a few facts to keep in mind prior to dabbling in a potentially slippery slope.

1. Quality.

Currently, there is no independent medically-accepted body that regulates or certifies oil quality, so buyers must beware. There are false claims regarding quality and touting the use of “therapeutic grade,” a meaningless term created and registered by one of the largest distributors of essential oils. For example, 43% of the commercial examples of tea tree oil do not have the appropriate chemical components, and some actually contain contaminants. It is important to purchase from a known distiller who harvests the oils at the correct time, using knowledge of peak growing conditions. Buying organic (but not raw) is important and substitutes are dangerous. A few recommendations to consult prior to purchasing are the National Organic Program (NOP), the USDA or EcoCERT. My rule of thumb: If the price is too good to be true, you are probably purchasing a lesser quality product.

2. Undiluted Oils.

While there are several causes of adverse reactions to essential oils, the most common can be easily avoided: Do not put drops of essential oils into a bath and step into it, as oils do not mix with water and will float on the top, creating a not-so-soothing experience. In addition, contact with water makes oils evaporate less quickly, increasing the body’s absorption of unwanted elements such as parabens. In an effort to avoid health hazards, I highly recommend researching safe ways to dilute essential oils prior to using them.

3. Ingesting.

Unless recommended by a trained practitioner, essential oils should not be ingested. They may be harmful to the body’s microbiome, delicate mucosa of the mouth and gastrointestinal tract.

4. Overuse.

It is not advisable to directly and intensively inhale essential oils for longer than 15 to 20 minutes. The ideal concentration of essential oils should produce a faint scent rather than bombarding the room with bouquet. In addition, constant use of diffusers may harm your pets, as they have sensitive systems that cannot tolerate long periods of inhalation. Remember: Less is more.

5. Misinformation.

Many of the claims and recommendations made regarding essential oils are false and provided by untrained practitioners. For example, patients have asked me recently about Frankincense Essential Oil due to misleading and confusing information on websites and in blogs. At the root of the problem is knowing the difference between Frankincense Essential Oil and Frankincense, which is a resin that contains a promising ingredient, Boswellic acid, that is actually not found at all in the essential oil form. The bottom line is, multi-level marketing companies are selling their products with exaggerated claims and deceptive marketing, so do your homework whenever possible to make sure you’re on the right track.

If you are interested in using essential oils or have already purchased them and are seeking further information, my advice is to use caution when buying, research advice from only trained practitioners and use the oils safely and in moderation. It may be a bit more time consuming, but in the long run it’s best to make sure that what you’re buying and how it’s used is indeed essential to your health.

Resources

  • Tisserand Institute http://tisserandinstitute.org/grasse-french-aromatherapy/
  • Lavender/Quality http://www.kurtschnaubelt.com/archive-2/
  • Aromatherapy Institute https://www.aromahead.com
  • Tea Tree Oil Adulteration http://cms.herbalgram.org/BAP/BAB/TeaTreeOilBulletin.html? ts=1511148302&signature=9163da4bfd5a297ec7437b3c3ad61fba
Posted on

Good Morning, Sunshine

So, what exactly is a dawn simulator? Simply put, it’s a natural alarm clock that involves timing lights in the bedroom to come on gradually, over a period of between 30 minutes and two hours before your preferred time of awakening.

Mornings. While some anticipate a superb sunrise, for others it’s the dreaded dawn.

Well, here’s a rousing thought: Your performance and attitude may, in part, be attributed to your method of awakening. But no need to hide under the covers, as even though that harsh alarm and the resulting wide-awake jolt may set the tone for the day, there’s a simple solution, known as dawn simulation.

Mornings. While some anticipate a superb sunrise, for others it’s the dreaded dawn. Well, here’s a rousing thought: Your performance and attitude may, in part, be attributed to your method of awakening. But no need to hide under the covers, as even though that harsh alarm and the resulting wide-awake jolt may set the tone for the day, there’s a simple solution, known as dawn simulation.

So, what exactly is a dawn simulator?

Simply put, it’s a natural alarm clock that involves timing lights in the bedroom to come on gradually, over a period of between 30 minutes and two hours before your preferred time of awakening. The concept was first patented in the late 1800s, with the realization that light enters through the eyelids, triggering the body to begin its wake-up cycle, including the release of cortisol, a hormone that regulates immune response, so that by the time the light is at full brightness, sleepers wake up on their own, without the need for a traditional alarm.

Your performance and attitude may, in part, be attributed to your method of awakening.

Research shows that, when compared with waking in dim light, the 30-minute sunrise not only left subjects feeling more refreshed and alert upon waking, but reflected an increase in agility, cognitive performance, response time and improved mood. In addition, cortisol levels were reported as significantly elevated, resulting in better overall hormone balance throughout the day.

The treatment is complete prior to awakening.

Dawn simulators, also known as wake-up lights or natural light alarm clocks that gradually transition you from a state of slumber, differ from other light therapies, as the treatment is complete prior to awakening, making it a convenient alternative to post-awakening bright therapy. The process is a lower intensity, and not considered a therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), but can certainly be used in addition to treatment.

In my house, we’ve fully embraced waking to a gradual dawn rather than the jolt of an alarm, especially living in Rochester, NY, where 83% of our days are cloudy—a tad lower than Seattle’s 84%. I hope that you, too, will give dawn simulators a try and reap the benefits of this truly bright idea for rising and shining.

Light Therapy Reviews

Save

Save

Save

Save

Proudly powered by WordPress