Living in the San Francisco Area certainly has its perks for foodies – particularly at this time of the year. Farmers markets are overflowing with $1 avocados, heaping piles of apricots, and gorgeous bundles of colorful rainbow chard. One only has to stroll down the streets of Berkeley to see Meyer lemon trees overflowing with fruit and neat rows of herbs in front yards. But people aren’t the only ones who appreciate this mecca of plant growth…yes, we are talking about bees.

Beyond the chicken coops and the home vegetable gardens, beekeeping is on the upswing. Almost every city has a beekeeper’s association, and the buzzing of bees is no longer associated with stings, but instead sweet combs of honey in one’s own backyard.

There are many Bay Area companies utilizing our local beehives and the diversity within each region. Bees prefer sampling flowers close to home, though can occasionally travel up to 3 miles from their hive. Because of this, each hive’s honey will taste very much like the specific sampling of flowers within their geolocation. You can even find honey specific to Alameda, the East Bay, Marin, Sonoma, San Francisco, or Mt Tam. If you come across any of these local brand’s stand at a farmer’s market you can taste each one – and yes, there is a difference!

Some local brands prefer to break down their honey into even smaller geographic locations. Did you know that most neighborhoods in San Francisco have a community garden – and that within that garden there is often a beehive? With these resources you can find honey native to Cole Valley, Potrero Hill, Noe Valley, the Mission (hint: this beehive is on the top of Bi-Rite), and the Inner Sunset. If you live in one of those neighborhoods and are suffering from seasonal allergies, it might be worth a try consuming one of your (very local) honeys.

So why buy local honey, instead of the generic brands that are normally at your grocery store? You might be surprised if you read the labels. Many big name honey companies source their honey from places as far away as Thailand and Vietnam – which means that honey travels a long way, and has big carbon footprint.

Local honey can also help to combat seasonal allergies. When plants start pollinating in the spring many of our bodies release histamines – a natural immune system function that helps to counteract the pollen. Unfortunately histamines cause us to sneeze, get congested, and experience other unpleasant allergy-related symptoms. Local honey contains the pollen that irritates us in our day to day life, causing those histamines to be released. Some studies prove that by consuming local honeys, bodies can create antibodies to the pollen we’re allergic to – effectively curing our seasonal allergies!

What’s your favorite way to consume honey? We’re fans of it spread on locally baked bread, stirred into our tea, or even eaten plain off a spoon. Join the local honey revolution!
 

Refined sugar was practically nonexistent in the human diet until recent times. Today, the over-consumption of sugar is the number one cause of the American obesity epidemic. While the USDA recommends only 8 teaspoons (32 grams) of added sugar per day, the average American eats approximately 53 teaspoons (212 grams). It is loaded into the majority of processed foods, where it lurks in even the most unsuspecting places – breads, sauces, salad dressings, even frozen fruit! With 56 names for refined sugar ingredients (including High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup or Corn Syrup Solids, Sucrose and Fructose) manufacturers hide this toxic substance throughout ingredients lists to make our food “taste good.” A bit funny when natural ingredients taste so delicious!

Sugar contributes to a whole host of negative health effects – and we’re not just talking about tooth decay here, but sickness, disease, and even cancer. Cutting sugar from your diet can prevent these adverse effects, contributing to not only a smaller waistline but a longer, better quality of life. Here are the top 10 reasons you should avoid refined sugar:

1- Sugar is addictive

• Like drugs, sugar stimulates the release of dopamine, a “feel-good” chemical in the brain. As we consume sugar, our bodies create more dopamine receptors that lead us to crave more sugar, resulting in a vicious cycle of sugar consumption.

2- Sugar damages your immune system

• By lowering the efficiency of white blood cells for hours at a time after consumption, sugar compromises the immune system and hinders our ability to fight disease and infection.

3- Sugar robs your body of essential minerals

• Besides being empty calories with absolutely no nutritional value, sugar actually robs your body of essential minerals. Sugar causes essential minerals like sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium to be leached from the body. This can weaken the teeth and bones, causing tooth decay and diseases like osteoporosis.

4- Sugar can lead to the development of cancer

• There is an old saying: “Cancer loves sugar.” Consuming too much sugar causes our bodies to produce excessive amounts of insulin, which encourages the growth of cells – a good thing for healthy cells, but not cancerous cells. Excessive sugar intake has been linked to increased risk for breast, colon, pancreatic, colorectal, and endometrial cancer.

5- Consumption of sugar is detrimental to the liver

• Refined sugar is half glucose and half fructose. The liver is the only organ that can metabolize fructose. When too much fructose enters the liver, it gets turned into fat that can build up over time and ultimately lead to disease.

6- Sugar causes insulin resistance, diabetes, and weight gain

• Insulin drives glucose into cells from the bloodstream. Elevated blood glucose is toxic, so when excessive amounts of glucose cannot be used properly the pancreas begins to secrete insulin in order to remove it from the bloodstream, leading the body to become insulin resistant. When the body becomes resistant to insulin, the pancreas stops doing its job properly, which is a contributing factor of type II diabetes. Insulin also signals the body to store fat, which leads to obesity.

7- Sugar causes premature aging

• Sugar can attach to proteins in the bloodstream, resulting in AGEs (Advanced Glycation End Products) that damage collagen and elastin production, which are responsible for maintaining skin’s elasticity.

8- Sugar leads to depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue, irritability, and mood swings

• Consuming sugar leads to a spike in both blood sugar and feel-good serotonin levels in the brain. When the sugar withdraws from our system, we experience a “crash” creating a cycle of craving and bingeing in both our bodies and our minds. This is not fun for anyone.

9- Sugar increases hyperactivity in children

• Refined sugars enter the bloodstream quickly, producing rapid fluctuations in blood glucose levels that trigger adrenaline and make children more active. Consider more kid friendly gluten free snacks to help avoid this.

10- Sugar can affect your cholesterol

• High sugar consumption lowers levels of the “good” HDL cholesterol that helps remove LDL, or “bad” cholesterol from the artery walls, and has been shown to increase levels of triglycerides, a type of fat found in the blood that poses an increased risk for heart disease.

Artificial sweeteners, while not made from sugar, should also be avoided at all costs. These sweeteners are made from loads of chemicals with absolutely no nutritional value and a slew of harmful side effects of their own.

It should be noted that natural sugar found in fruit does not have any of the negative effects of refined sugar. If you would like to add a bit of sweet to your food, we recommend Stevia, a natural plant extract that has no calories, is sweeter than sugar, and has no adverse effects on blood sugar levels. Cutting sugar from your diet may be hard at first, but within a matter of time you’ll begin to experience the positive effects it will have on your mind, body, and overall well-being.

Chia seeds are one of our favorite super foods! We mix Chia into our Young Love and Warrior juices to bring a powerful nutrient-rich punch to your cleanse.

The word chia is actually from the Mayan language, meaning “strength,” and Aztec warriors relied on chia seed to boost energy and increase stamina.

Chia seeds have healthy omega-3 fatty oils, easily digestible protein and antioxidants that may help with diabetes, hypoglycemia and celiac disease. The seeds also have 18% of the recommended daily intake of calcium.

Unlike flax seed, chia seeds don’t have to be ground and they don’t go rancid the way flax does.

Chia will keep you fuller longer and prevent you from overeating. But be warned: Eat no more than a maximum one ounce a day per day. Because chia is very high in fiber, overly large amounts can cause stomach upset.

As a dietary supplement, chia seeds may be added to other foods as a topping or put into smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt, made into a gelatin substance, or consumed raw. Partly because there is no perceptible shell, addition of chia seeds to other products may not alter taste.

Chia is fantastic for kids too. It doesn’t change the way the food tastes, though it does give it a bit of a crunch. Consider tossing a  bit of chia in pancake or waffle mix. This won’t alter the taste but will give your breakfast a bit of fun crunch.

This ease is precisely what makes chia such a winning super food. Whether making it into a pudding, used as an egg substitute for the veggie folks, the same benefits can be found simply by tossing a teaspoon into yogurt, oatmeal or smoothie.

What are your favorite ways to use chia seeds?

Haven’t tried them yet? We toss them in our Young Love and Warrior juices to give you a nutrient boost.

Non-dairy milks are wonderfully versatile. They are delicious in smoothies, juices, baked goods, or over your morning granola. Not all store-bought alternatives are completely safe, however, and some contain ingredients that are worth mentioning.

When you read a non-dairy milk label, most of the foreign ingredients you see are added vitamins and minerals. However there is one common ingredient that should raise considerable alarm.

Carrageenan, a seaweed derivative, is commonly used as a thickening agent, stabilizer, or emulsifier in many non-dairy products. It may sound harmless, but recent research from the Cornicopia Instutite has linked carrageenan to a number of digestive issues, including colon inflammation and cancer, in animals.

Since it can be difficult and time-consuming to find products without carrageenan, the Cornucopia Institute has created a helpful shopping guide.

If you want the freshest, most natural non-dairy milk possible, a great option is to make it yourself. It is surprisingly simple to make your own non-dairy drinks, using nuts, seeds, or grains.

How to Make Your Own Nut Milk

This is a simple recipe for homemade almond milk, using only almonds, water, and a blender (and a few other optional items). You can get creative and try this with any nut or seed, even a combination!

• Soak one cup of almonds in water for at least 8 hours, or overnight.
• You can substitute hazelnuts, cashews, walnuts, or even coconuts in place of almonds. Experiment to find your favorite, or even your favorite blend!
• Drain the almonds completely. Combine with 2-3 cups of water in a blender or food processor, and mix until that familiar creamy color is achieved. If you prefer some extra flavor or sweetness, you can try adding a bit of sugar, dates, vanilla, and/or cinnamon before you blend.
  

  Homemade almond milk: before and after blending

• If you don’t mind a grainy milk, seal it up as is, and refrigerate. If you want to strain it, however, you can use cheesecloth, a fine mesh strainer, or a convenient nut milk bag.

A nut milk bag.

• A nut milk bag is a fine mesh bag that you pour your milk through and squeeze to drain. This is the easiest way to separate your milk from the pulp, which you can then save for other recipes. It helps if you have a large funnel as well, which allows you to squeeze your milk directly into the container you will store it in.
• Bottle it up and refrigerate. Be sure to shake your new milk well before using, and use within 7-10 days.

Homemade almond milk and pulp

It’s that simple. You’ll have complete control over what you are drinking, and you can make just the amount you need. It’s a dairy-free miracle.

The decision to eat organic food comes with numerous benefits for both the individual and the environment. The USDA organic label means that food is produced without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms. Prolonged exposure to these unnatural substances has been found in some studies to cause birth defects and disease. In addition to its lower toxicity, organic food is often found to boast a higher nutritional content and better taste compared with traditional foods.

For some, however, the higher cost makes it difficult to buy 100% organic all the time. To help with this, the Environmental Working Group releases a list called “The Dirty Dozen” each year, highlighting the foods most contaminated with pesticides. Consumers with financial limitations can prioritize their organic purchases starting with this list. This year the list included two additional items which did not meet the usual dirty dozen criteria, but were considered worthy of mention because of insecticide contamination.

The 2012 “Dirty Dozen Plus”

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Sweet bell peppers
4. Peaches
5. Strawberries
6. Nectarines (imported)
7. Grapes
8. Spinach
9. Lettuce
10. Cucumbers
11. Blueberries (domestic)
12. Potatoes
    Plus: Green beans and kale/greens: Often treated with toxic organophosphate insecticides. According to the EWG’s Website: “These insecticides are toxic to the nervous system and have been largely removed from agriculture over the past decade. But they are not banned and still show up on some food crops.”

In addition to the dirty dozen, the “Clean 15” is a list of the foods least commonly treated with pesticides. Shoppers can worry less about having to these items organic.

The “Clean 15”

1. Onions
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapples
4. Avocado
5. Cabbage
6. Sweet Peas
7. Asparagus
8. Mangoes
9. Eggplant
10. Kiwi
11. Cantaloupe (domestic)
12. Sweet Potatoes
13. Grapefruit
14. Watermelon
15. Mushrooms

Farmer’s markets are an excellent source for organic produce.

Another great way to shop organic on a budget is to frequent farmer’s markets. Develop a relationship with the farmers whose produce you regularly buy. Come near the end of the day when they are more eager to make a deal. With enough practice, you may find yourself getting all of your produce organic for the same price or even cheaper than conventional food.

New Years Resolution #1: I will take better care of my skin

Juice cleanses can optimize skin health. The top four juices for healthy skin are carrot, blueberry, kale and lemon juice, all of which are featured in the Signature Cleanse. Other great ways to promote skin health are protection from the sun, Vitamin A intake and staying hydrated!

New Years Resolution #2: I will not poison myself

Pesticides, antibiotics and hormones are not a part of a well-balanced meal. Do 2013 right and go organic! Urban Remedy products are 100% organic and 100% poison-free. All of the ingredients we use are grown without pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, genetic modification or ionizing radiation. If you don’t have access to organic food where you live, you can order our juices, snacks and smoothies online.

New Years Resolution #3: I will heal my heart

Your heart craves foods that are low in saturated fats and cholesterol but high in antioxidants and dietary fiber. For a heart cleanse, try the Signature Cleanse, featuring your heart’s favorite foods: raspberries, blueberries, acai, apple, almonds, cashews. Other things hearts love: long walks, sunshine, fresh vegetables, acts of kindness

New Years Resolution #4: I will follow through on my commitments

When you do your juice cleanse, create the full commitment to ensure the cleanse work best for your heart, mind and body. We suggest a 100% juice cleanse because eating slows down the cleansing process, but if you do choose to eat, only eat organic fruits, vegetables or soaked nuts/seeds. Set yourself up for success: ask your friends and family to support you, cut out time for reflection and relaxation. We believe in you!

New Years Resolution #5: I will manage my sweet tooth

Not all sugars are created equal. Our low-glycemic sweet treats only use all raw, natural and healthy ingredients. Urban Remedy-approved sweet fixings: coconut sugar, apple, date, banana, honey

 New Years Resolution #6: I will love my body better

“Love” is more than a feeling or a concept: it’s an action. To love your body means eating lots of greens, fruits and superfoods. It means eating organic foods that are free of pesticides and hormones. It means avoiding processed foods and sugars. It means breaking old habits that no longer serve you. What will you do this year to love your body better?

New Years Resolution #7: I will be a leader in my community

The more you educate yourself about health, the greater a community asset you become. Educate your community about diet, nutrition and lifestyle habits that promote health. One great way to do this is to keep up with our blog, which is filled with informative posts about improving health. Spread the word about Urban Remedy! We want our products to reach everyone in need of healing.

New Years Resolution #8: I will eat the rainbow

Nature offers a full spread of colored foods for good reason. Each group of fruits or vegetables of one color offers different nutritional values. Here’s the shorthand list:

The Reds: Polyphenol neutralizes free radicals and inhibits inflammation; powerful antioxidants,
The Oranges: Beta-Cryptoxanthin supports eye, bone and cell growth; Alpha-Carotene supports the immune system; Vitamin C supports the immune system
The Yellows: Limonoids might lower cholesterol and help fight cancer; Lutein and Zeaxanthin support eye health; Vitamin C
The Greens: Chlorophyll rebuilds and replenishes our red blood cells, boosting our energy and increasing our well-being; Vitamin K supports bone and blood health
The Purples: Indoles may fight against cancerous cells; Anthocyanis are antioxidants that support brain functioning and may reduce the risk of heart disease

New Years Resolution #9: I will make time for the things I love

Urban Remedy Meals are a great way to eat on-the-go without sacrificing your health. You can get filled up without having to drive anywhere, wait in line, or go shopping. These meal replacement smoothies are rich with vitamins, nutrients and energizing ingredients. What do you want to make time for this year?

New Years Resolution #10: I will embody my beliefs

Be transparent about what you believe in and share it with others. If you care about your body, love eating well, and don’t eat junk food, let others know! If you believe in juicing and going gluten-free, spread the word. You make a difference!