Junk News XII: Sale of junk food to be banned in Ontario schools (with a little extra)

Sale of junk food to be banned in Ontario schools.

I won’t say that this is a good idea…but I won’t say that this is a bad idea either. Ontario has good intentions but banning junk food in the school is not going to just “solve the problem.” That doesn’t mean that banning junk off altogether is the answer either.

What does help is manifold:

• In banning junk foods, they can sell healthier alternatives, such as fruits and nuts or snacks that cater to a healthier crowd. Children need snacks to keep them going throughout the day. Why not have a fruit/nut/water stand?
• At the same time, schools MUST reinstate extra-curricular activities, such as gym or even playing a music instrument. We have become a continent so focused on learning and the future that we stopped looking at the present – children need a balance between learning and doing so that they can become well-rounded and successful individuals in the future.
• At the end of the day, schools are only a part of the sum. Parents much also do what they can to educate their children. This does not mean to tell them to eat right and you do the total opposite. This is one of the times where children are going to have to learn by your example.

Junk Food (and other junk we consume) should be considered a “luxury.” Something that we can indulge in every so often, but it has to be earned. It cannot be a crutch. That doesn’t mean that they can’t have junk food at all. Children need to learn new ways of eating and appreciate health so that if they do eat a candy bar, it’s not going ot affect their overall health. They won’t overindulge and they will be able to cope with exercise and a positive and focused attitude.

In other words, it has to be a holistic and balanced approach.

two healthy junk foods

When I found this blog post, I had to put it in this post. Who better to put their money where their mouth is but me? I doesn’t make sense for me to talk about how much junk food is NOT good for you and not provide those healthier alternatives I was talking about. I’m only now learning to cook for myself (I baked an organic chicken the other day- the first time in years!) and soon I will be able to try this out and make it taste good for me. If you’re a fan of cooking and want to try this out, post a comment letting me know how it went. If you’re already a pro in the kitchen, leave any tips you can – for me and my readers.

Thanks so much for keeping up with me. No matter what happens in life, always keep a positive attitude and get rid of the junk in your life.

Always remember…if you’re gonna consume junk, it might as well be Healthy Junk!

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Junk News XI: How to Eat Better and Slash the Grocery Bill

How to Eat Better and Slash the Grocery Bill.

I got this in Oprah’s Newsletter yesterday and I love it!

It’s a great way for us to save money and eat healthy, giving you more reason to cut out the junk foods we consume and getting some Healthy Junk in our lives!

It’s my first post for Healthy Junk in 2010! Sorry it took so long but yesterday was my birthday! Don’t worry…we still have over 300 days to get it together.

So always remember…

if you’re gonna consume junk, it might as well be Healthy Junk!

Junk News X: Food Lobby Mobilizes, As Soda Tax Bubbles Up

Image via Wikipedia

Food Lobby Mobilizes, As Soda Tax Bubbles Up.

It seems as if the Beverage Industry is taking the possibility of a National Soda Tax very seriously. So should we. Even though soft drinks and sodas are not a direct cause of obesity, it cannot be ignored that soda and it’s main ingredient, HFCS, is a major player in making our bodies toxic and a main factor in causing dis-ease! I say we tax em. It may not stop people from buying soft drinks, but it will definitely make them look at healthier ways to quench their thirst.

Laters,

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The Healthy Junk Chronicles: Talk about Healthy Junk (accidentally vegan foods)

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Now I’ll be honest with you…when I was a kid, I was big into Islam. Being from “the hood,” you had the 5 percenters to deal with. The 5 percenters were an off-shoot of the Nation of Islam. They were heavily involved in numerology to some degree and also did their best to abstain from pork.

So things like chicken wings and pork fried rice, Colt 45 (which was said to have pork in it) and Oreo Cookies (rumored to be made of pork fat at the time) were no no’s. (Let it be known that I was NOT drinking Colt 45 when I was 13…that came after at 19…but later for that! LOL)

Fast forward to today….I found out yesterday that Oreo’s are VEGAN! Say what?! I had to ask two of my vegan/yoga friends about it and they surely did verify.

I am still surprised. Even after seeing this information from PETA. It gives a list of foods (not only snacks…click on the links at the top of the website for more info) that are accidentally vegan but NOT necessarily good for you. Even though these foods are considered vegan by a margin, they are still processed foods and not the best foods to be on if you want to acheive and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Bottom line, if you want to induldge in one of these foods ONCE IN A WHILE…then feel free. Otherwise, stick to the good stuff – fruits, veggies, quinoa (hehehehe), you know the drill!

My apologies for making you happy for two seconds and then shooting your Oreo hopes down but…that’s what I’m here for. Balance.

Talk to you later and remember…if you’re gonna eat junk, it might as well be Healthy Junk!

Junk News IX: Healthcare headlines – Junk food ‘increases chance of depression’

Healthcare headlines – Junk food ‘increases chance of depression’.

This is based on an Australian study of 14 year olds. It’s definitely something to think about…

Laters!