Many people think that eating only one food at a time is the best way to eat your meals…
This is called mono-eating or eating mono-meals.
A viewer recently asked if this is the best way to eat, so today I address this question as well as talk about options for freezer containers and how stevia works with the blood type diet.
Take a look…
Your question of the day: What ideas do you have for plastic-free freezer containers?
Click here, scroll down and leave your comments now!
Live Awesome!
Kev
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5:01 pm on December 21st, 2009
You can use regular canning lids which are metal instead of the screw on plastic lids.
You also can use glass canning jars and a Food Saver which will vacuum out the air.
I love my Food Saver!
Debbie *Ü*
5:01 pm on December 21st, 2009
Anyone try using stainless or bamboo containers for the freezer?
5:13 pm on December 21st, 2009
Hi Kevin,
Love your show. Why do you use flax seeds in your smoothies instead of chia seeds (which I know you also like).
Also, seems like you prefer lettuce in your smoothies instead of other leafy greans (like silverbeet, chard and kale). Is there a reason for that?
5:15 pm on December 21st, 2009
I’ve always just sucked it up and used plastic bags in the freezer or tupperware wrapped in plastic. Correct me if I’m wrong (anyone), but doesn’t glass ultimately break because initially the glass contracts due to the coldness but then at a certain temp, it again expands…if there is water inside the glass will break….. Any pointers?
5:21 pm on December 21st, 2009
Some food can be frozen in water, either immerse the food in water and freeze or you can dip it in water and freeze it, then dip it again, and freeze (glazing). Dip and freeze until the desired thickness of ice is obtained and will keep out the air.
5:27 pm on December 21st, 2009
Hi Kevin!
We also got two feet of snow in the Philly area. IT’s been awhile since that happened!! I am so, so, so, glad you said that this food journey is suppose to be fun!!! Food = joy and love…no anxiety allowed!!
5:35 pm on December 21st, 2009
I use wide mouth canning jars for the freezer (seeds, nuts) + those square and round glass containers w/BPA free lids – if you go to discount stores like TJ Maxx and Marshalls they have nice European ones at a discount. Martha Stewart had some cool ones at Kmart but I think they got rid of her line. Target has some as well.
I did hear that canning jar lids have BPA in them (the seal part) but you can probably get special ones.
Antique malls are a great source of old fashioned canning jars and lids – these look really cool.
5:36 pm on December 21st, 2009
greg, it’s water that contracts to near 4 Celsius, then expands below that; why ice floats. To avoid broken glass, have an air space for expansion.
The metal canning lids are coated inside, with BPA, so food touching the lid will be dosed with a bit– not much at so low a temp. I think a company sells glass canning lids.
Any way to vacuum out air, in freezer or fridge, is good, though plastic touching food will leach whatever’s in it. Polyethylene (polythene) is best, #2, or #4 or #5 polypropylene. No others.
5:43 pm on December 21st, 2009
Where can I purchase Green Stevia? I was given a website at the Raw Spirit Festival but unfortunately I lost it.
5:51 pm on December 21st, 2009
FYI, Natalia Rose’s latest book Detox for Women is really big on Stevia. This book has an anti-yeast/anti-candida program so while people are on it she has them use Stevia instead of fruit, agave, honey etc. But she seems to really like stevia and pushes it in all her books, which may cause people to have questions.
5:52 pm on December 21st, 2009
If people are worried about glass containers w/plastic lids they could always put some wax paper under the lid…just a thought…
6:44 pm on December 21st, 2009
Hi all….
Really, Is petroleum product accesptable? (wax Paper).
How about wrapping items with PARCHMENT PAPER then finding a container, shouldn’t leach.
Old fashioned fridge/freezer containers (glass) wrapped in freezer bag or plastic to keep air out
I like to eat fresh, but will check out the Hemp/Brazil nut bars. Fun!
6:49 pm on December 21st, 2009
Target has a set of 4 glass jars with stainless steel lids on their website: type in item # 749684 in the search box.
6:58 pm on December 21st, 2009
I use the Snapware Glass Lock containers. They are a little on the pricey side, but I’m converting to them slowly. I really like them- they’re very versatile.
I swear you can read my mind during the show Kevin! When you were talking about the amazing brazil/hemp bars on the show last week, I just started think “i dunno, they sound GREAT but there is a lot of fat in those…” and that’s precisely when you said “I know they have a lot of fat but you can have one as a TREAT! You gotta relax a little! This is supposed to be fun!”
Haha, thanks for making this so interactive- I love the show more and more each day!
7:41 pm on December 21st, 2009
Hey Kevin, I love love LOVE all that snow:-) We have had snow here in London too but where I live we never get that much (mind you ANY at all is enough to send the whole transport infrastructure into total meltdown LOL).
I don’t know about containers – thank you everyone for all the comments, this blog is such an amazing pool of knowledge.
Oh yes! Question: green juice is giving me backache!!! Uh, I’m assuming it is the juicing of it rather than the drinking. Have you been using your fancy juicer you got in summer? If so can you give me any tips for how to juice the more cruciferous veggies – like cabbages – without putting pressure on my lower back?! Many thanks:-)
8:24 pm on December 21st, 2009
Kevin,
I just asked about the blood type diet in relaionship to your Peter Ragnar episode, and now you mention a video you did with Gabriel Cousens in which he refuted the blood type theory. Can you give out the episode number of it so everyone can watch it? Does he say the whole idea of blood types and food recommendations is totally wrong? I’m the one who mentioned how the diet says Type A’s can eat grapefruit but not oranges, which seems absurd.
8:40 pm on December 21st, 2009
I thought tupperware was the healthy plastic! Made with polyethylene and polypropylene beads. At least that’s what I was told.
9:55 pm on December 21st, 2009
Thanks again for a great show!
I had a question:
i always thought sea salt was better than table salt and have used it for years. I just read somewhere that we must eat iodized (not sure of the spelling) salt. (i read it on ewg.org) does sea salt have iodine? If so does it have enough?
After reading the comments from the Neem oil show i listened to Dr. Nara’s interview and it really opened my eyes about dentistry. All of what he said really made sense! I couldnt have read this at a better time since my 7 year old is very afraid of going to the dentist … i mean huge phobia!!! she has a little cavity … which our dentist recommended getting a filling. Now that i know that teeth can heal themselves of cavities i am taking matters in my own hands … my daughter is also very happy! Let’s hope the cavity goes away!
Sorry ,,, this had nothing to do with the question of the day!
9:57 pm on December 21st, 2009
You CAN buy wax paper that’s not petroleum based: 100% Unbleached Soybean Wax Paper is coated with a wax made from soybeans – is clean, safe, non-toxic, and completely biodegradable.
When I freeze bananas tho, I first wrap them in unbleached parchment paper and then then go into double ziplock bags.
Rene Oswald demos this Pump-N-Seal vacuum sealer on youtube that looks cool – you can use glass or whatever as your containers.
But I also buy frozen fruit and they are all in plastic – seems it’s ubiquitous…In coming times, we may not have petroleum packages w/o paying higher prices due to oil supply limitations…
10:17 pm on December 21st, 2009
Ok I just watched the video on the PumpNSeal and you can freeze solid foods using ziplock bags…I think could work to first line the bags with parchment paper, or wrap the foods in it, then vacuum seal.
Has anyone done this?
10:28 pm on December 21st, 2009
To do away with air pockets in freezing (I haven’t tried it)my mom used parafine to seal jelly so it may work in freezing as well.
I like the amber & light Agave,I get it at Wal-Mart.
Betty B.
11:04 pm on December 21st, 2009
Kevin,
No disrespect intented, but if you’re going to address a relatively technical question like ‘what is better, eating foods with mutiple ingredients vs. eating mono-meals’, I think you should take more of an evidence-based approach to formulating your response.
You seem a little bit hypocritical. On one hand you stress the importance of being knowledgable and approaching questions scientifically, (such as in the closing comments on this video) but then you turn around in episodes like this and address a ‘technical’ question in a totally non-scientific manner. It seems to me that you have painted yourself into a corner in one respect. You aim to be someone who can address pretty much any kind of nutritional issue by taking a scientific and inquisitive approach, but then you also try to create new episodes every day. I don’t see how some of these questions can meaningfully be approached without more research. When I saw the title and description of this episode, I thought ‘Oh, good. Kevin might have some new scientific insight into the question, or have come across some interesting research data.’ However, neither of these was the case. I truly don’t want to sound overly negative – I do appreciate what you are doing with this show, but I do think it is a bit egotistical to think that the best information you can give us on such an issue is to tell us how you happen to be making your smoothies of late. I know it is just you sharing your own experiences, which I appreciate, but you run the risk of making the implicit statement that we are just a bunch of Kevin wannabes that want to eat just like you. It is my impression that the person who posed the question had something more in mind than a desire to know what you’re eating these days.
Oh thank you thank you for telling us how you eat, great one…
Thanks, and I apologize if this come across in an overly sarcastic way…I am a scientist and constructive criticism is one of the most valuable things we fellow scientists can give eachother. No?
David
11:25 pm on December 21st, 2009
POst #15 “green juice is giving me backache!!!”
Odd, I get the same thing when I eat raw for a while or have a big green juice…you know what helps it go away? chinups and tricep dips! Grip the end of a chair or couch with two hands, stick yer legs out striaght with your heels on the ground and go up and down, 12-13 times. Here’s where you can get a great pullup bar (called “the iron gym”) that doesn’t require any drilling, just goes right in your doorway: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7627333730224677094# that helps my back a lot.
11:29 pm on December 21st, 2009
Maria-
the video does an awesome job of explaining how to do pullups and chinups if you are unable to do a real one. It took me 5 weeks to be able to do 7! Just play with it, every two days or so. It really helps my back and I hope you’ll give it a shot.
11:36 pm on December 21st, 2009
…and Kevin, great, GREAT show! Paul Chek Mike geary and Ross Enamait all say “eat 5 or less foods” They didn’t have your raw vegan lifestyle in mind, but I’m certain it applies! So gratifying to hear you say something that top trainers have told me, as well as something I’ve always thought intuitively.
11:37 pm on December 21st, 2009
“5 or less foods” in one meal.
11:37 pm on December 21st, 2009
Barbara, Navitas Naturals sells the green powder stevia. You can order online if you can’t find it in stores. Their prices seem to be good too.
Isabelle, I wouldn’t worry about getting enough iodine if you’re also eating sea vegetables. Seaweeds are the richest source. You want to eat natural iodine too, not whatever it is they put in table salt. Also, I’ve done a bunch of research in tooth remineralization. I’m not sure what Dr. Nara teaches, but to remineralize teeth you must first be sure not to use anything containing glycerin (most toothpastes) as it plugs up the microtubles in the teeth (photo of microtubles:http://www.curetoothdecay.com/Root_Canal/microscope_tooth.htm). Tooth Soap is a good alternative. You also need to make sure to get enough minerals in the diet. I took Kevin’s advice and bought some marine phytoplankton. That stuff is amazing in that it’s basically a complete food. It’s great for filling in nutritional gaps. I’ve noticed it has helped with a sensitive tooth I have.
Another thing to really think about is making cultured vegetables. There’s a great interview with Donna Gates in the archives. Try to eat some every day because they’re full of nutrition and even help you absorb more nutrition when the beneficial bacteria colonize your intestines.
Sergei Boutenko had his fillings fall out and his teeth remineralize when he adopted a raw diet. Still, I would keep an eye on things to make sure her tooth health is on the right track.
I’ve just recently bought the barefoot connections bed pad after watching David Wolfe’s interview on how grounding yourself to the earth helps remineralize your body. That also might be worth a look.
As for what to use for freezer storage, well I use some regular glass tupperware with snap on lids. They’re from a company called Starfrit. I found cheaper ones at a dollar store recently but I’m wondering if there might be anything wrong with the glass at the cheap price they were offering. When I was reading about cultured vegetables one article made mention of not using leaded glass. How does one know if there is lead in your glass?
I also agree with Kevin. Food is supposed to be enjoyable and not based around fear. Eating healthy and stressing out about it is most likely worse for you than enjoying with gratitude all that you do eat
11:45 pm on December 21st, 2009
I can’t think of any freezing option other than to echo the post about vacuum sealing. I thought today’s show was very interesting. Thanks for another great one!
12:49 am on December 22nd, 2009
I have heard this argument before. How can you possibly justify the physiological advantage to your health by eating only one to five foods at a time over eating the same volume of food that has 15 to 40 different foods. I’ve been raw for 12 years and preach variety, variety, variety. Not volume, but variety.
Like the videos, but you are wrong on this one? I would like a reply. Bob M.
1:58 am on December 22nd, 2009
Hi Kevin and AnnMarie!!!! believe it or not,I am 33 years young and this is the first time I ever blog; so hope it gets thru!!! So, I have a question. I am mostly vegan and used to want to transition to 100% raw. However, after being introduced to and wathching your show, I have learned that it is not raw that matters, but optimal health. So….my question is: What does one eat and how do you know if it is working on ones optimal health. I know that you both eat cooked foods as well, as do I. Well, what do you eat and how often? Any animal products at all? Healthwise, I feel pretty great most of the time, but am always wondering what I need to be doing to feel even better. Can you please advise me on what cooked foods to eat, cooking procedures and how often in a weeks time, as well as maybe some tips on easy but good raw foods. THANK YOU both for your show!! It is awesome to see someone just speak of the best info available at the time and how to apply it to each of our individual bodies!!! many blessings and happy holidays to you both. much love!!!!
2:35 am on December 22nd, 2009
you can freeze in glass, the wider the mouth of the container the better ( eg don’t use a wine bottle!) Screw the lid of the container on once the food is frozen. That way the food/liquid will expand upwards freely and not put pressure on the glass.
hope this helps
6:47 am on December 22nd, 2009
Here in Switzerland we have snow too! The landscape is completely white… I can not see Mont Blanc today – the sky is heavy, grey and very low !
“Less is better”- that’s right!
Prof. Arnold Ehrent healed “incurable diseases” through fasting!
He wrote that he had helped a woman in a wheelchair stand up! She was put on “four lemons and a little bit honey/day” diet (after some fasting and a period of raw vegan)!
8:41 am on December 22nd, 2009
Raymond Francis, who you had on your show (I think it was your show) says in his book, Never Be Sick Again, that it’s important to eat fruit alone and not to mix protiens and carbs in the same meal.
10:44 am on December 22nd, 2009
Hi everyone, to add to the request of info for MONO-EATING. I would like to say that from my experience and if you are the same, I have found that over time I have become sensitive to certain foods (like nuts) and combinations (like nuts & fruit). Mono eating takes so much stress off the digestive track and that doesnt ness. mean eating a plate full of bell peppers, you could break everything into food groups like, eat all your greens first, wait 30mins then eat your grains, wait an hour and eat cheese or eggs if you eat those sort of things. seperating your food groups (protein, carbs, greens, fruit) works wonders’.
12:38 pm on December 22nd, 2009
26 years of skiiing! How old are you guys? You must have mentioned it someplace but I started watching your shows in the late 300’s!
I wanted to ask about Vitamin D. I had mine tested after the summer, meaning when I was getting regular sun exposure. It still came back low. How do you feel about the FDA standards? Anyway, I understand that cod liver oil is a great source of Vitamin D. What do you think about this? Any other natural ways to get Vit. D without vitamins?
12:46 pm on December 22nd, 2009
Hi,
I just started watching your show. This is not on the question of the day but you said to dehydrate the brazil nut bars……..for how long before freezing? I want to try these. Thanks Denise
2:02 pm on December 22nd, 2009
Hi Kevin and AnnMarie,
Its Sara and Chris. Thanks for the snow, there was no chance of us seeing that this year.
We are always trying to minimize our plastic use, GREAT question.
It is a very difficult process, given our choices. As I see, we are not alone…
We were just looking the other day for ice trays that are not plastic. To freeze our panini juice. Mmmmm…. Chris said they werent plastic “back in the day” . Lol.
Anybody know where to get stainless ice trays, let us know.
Kev, a warm ocean could satisfy all of your sporting/nature needs…
80 degrees and sunny most days. Something to think about…..
Miss you guys! Well be back on the Inner Circle chat this Thurs. Thanks for finally mentioning the Inner Circle membership on the show… People need to hear about how awesome it is and all the great info. INCREDIBLE. We love it. Thanks for all of your hard work.
Happy Holidays!
ALOHA
C&S
2:14 pm on December 22nd, 2009
Reply to Bob M.
Simplicity in meals, variety over weeks, months, years. Look into the large research been done on food combining or otherwise known as trophology. Certain foods digest better when eaten alone or when eaten with similar food groups. When you eat 15 – 40 different foods at a time, especially heavy proteins with sugars, and proteins with carbohydrates, the digestion can slow to a point of stagnation, allowing bacteria to feed on undigested particles leading to acidity, and other problems. When you eat simply, the body can digest these foods easier, thus passing them quickly through the digestive track. In nature, it would be very difficult to gather 15-40 different varieties at a time. As our bodies and digestion system generally haven’t changed much over the course of time, it is most likely that when we found abundant food sources, we would eat until we were full rather than wander around until we had “variety”. Simplicity in meals, diversity over the weeks and months.
PS Bob, You might want to change your words from preach to teach if your goal is to help people rather than condemn them. Just a thought
5:22 pm on December 22nd, 2009
Hi Kevin,
In regards to eating one food at a time I was told to eat fruit alone or at least 2 hours post any other eating as it digests quickly and if caught behind other foods will rot & cause problems. I was also told the worst food combination was fruit & fats, which is what Flaxseeds are, and you are putting flaxseed oil in your smoothies. Do you have any problems from that? The funny thing is that i used to love to eat fruit with nuts, cottage cheese or yoghurt but stopped when I found this out, but I do sometimes get reflux symptoms from the fruit alone which I never noticed before. Nutrition is all so confusing.
In regards to freezing I use pyrex glass containers that do have plastic lids but the food never touches the lid. No problems with freezing the glass but i had never thought about the plastic lids being an issue. I also freeze fruit in freezer bags & the frozen fruit I buy also comes in plastic bags. What are we to do?
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you and AnnMarie for all your hard work and effort this past year. I learn so much from you guys and love watching the show. It is my breakfast ritual as I live in Australia & that’s when I get them. Merry Christmas to you both and your families and wishing you good health, happiness and prosperity for the New Year.
9:13 am on December 23rd, 2009
Please tell me if there is something like lead etc.. in what I use for fridge and freezing.
I use the older glass Corning Ware dishes, Pyrex, and Fire King that my parents used. These dishes all have glass lids. I have seen the Fire King dishes in antique shops. Maybe they could be found at a resale shop or some place similar.
The lids are not air tight so for freezing after putting on the lid I use foil or plasic wrap around the container. The food never comes in contact with the over wrap.
The Corning Ware says on the dish for range & microwave but does not say anything about freezing. Love the show. Have learned much!
8:02 pm on December 23rd, 2009
Regarding Green Smoothies or Blended Salads:
“To get as many nutrients as possible
into your bloodstream, the plant
walls must be broken open to
release the nutrients inside the cell.
When we simply chew a salad,
about seventy to ninety percent of
the cells are not broken open. As a
result, most of the valuable nutrients
contained within those cells never
enter our bloodstream. Blending
raw, leafy greens guarantees that a
higher percentage of nutrients will
be absorbed into your bloodstream
for your body to use.” – Quote from Dr Fuhrman
8:27 pm on December 23rd, 2009
Blood type diets are not scientifically based.
Dr D’Adamo does not present solid scientific evidence supporting his assertions. It is just theory with no documentation. Simply put he got a best seller because he appeals to the bad habits of many.
10:06 pm on December 23rd, 2009
Old fashioned cellophane bags made out of cellulose not plastic. Find a biodegradable kind or an organic supplier and they will use them too. It is my alternative to plastic bags and are for all intensive purposes exactly the same.
4:21 pm on December 26th, 2009
Very interesting comments, & a particularly good Renegade Health Show, week.
I knew that fruits could be frozen, (a nice desert), but did not think any freezing would apply to vegetables, without some sort of prior cooking, – correct?
7:57 pm on December 29th, 2009
There are airtight glass containers mentioned in Carol Alt’s book. I forget the name of the company but they are VERY expensive. They come with a vacuum type hose to suck the air out of the container. Produce can last for weeks in the fridge so I suppose they’re worth it if you can afford the investment.
I don’t use plastic much and store my stuff in glass but I do freeze my bananas in a plastic bag. Freezing won’t release BPA’s if that’s the concern. Only heat will so if you reuse them, just rinse with cold water, not warm or hot. Tupperware also doesn’t contain BPA.