Saturday, May 15, 2010

Eating as Political Action

Every time we place food in our mouth we are casting a vote for the social system we value. When we choose commercial food, produced on factory farms, we are in cahoots with the same companies that spill oil into our oceans, chemical poisons into our rivers, antibiotics and super-bugs into our blood. Buying processed food gives dollars to companies who deceive Americans, selling them garbage as food and disease on a plate.

There are four major food processors in the world: Cargill, ConAgra, Monsanto,and Tyson. More than food companies, they are chemical companies and they are part of the military-industrial complex. For example, Monsanto is the creator of AgentOrange, DDT and Roundup, as well as Rbgh (bovine growth hormone). They don't manufacture these chemicals to benefit our health; they do if for profit. We cannot overlook this connection between the production of food, pharmaceuticals, and chemical warfare. The chemical-laden "objects" they produce to sell as food are cancer-causing, which in turn creates a demand for the cancer treatment drugs that they are producing. Simply put, it is this cycle that keeps these companies rich, while the majority remains sick and poor... Sound familiar? It is time we end this extraction of profit at the cost of our health and freedom. It is unjust, inhumane and unsustainable.

When we shop at a Farmer's Market and/or choose organic and grass-fed whole food products, we support small businesses and farms that treat the earth and it's creatures with love. The products produced on these family farms are of high quality, loaded with vitamins and minerals that actually support life instead of diminish it. These farms act as stewards of the land, and treat it with the reverence it deserves. When we eat food produced with these ideals we are actually ingesting quality raw materials that will literally form the foundation of strong bones, connective tissue, and blood. Eating food produced in this manner not only contributes to a healthy mind, body and soul, but also nourishes the earth for future generations.

Being a responsible global citizen, requires informed consumption. The major food companies are intentionally deceiving the public. They are scamming people into believing that the processed foods they make out of denatured products is suitable to sustain life. Much like the cigarette companies lied about the addictive nature and chemical toxicity of their product, so too are they lying about their "food". It is time to stop supporting these companies, and stop eating their tortured and diseased factory farmed chickens, commercially raised beef and petroleum vegetables. Do you envision a just world, where children are not suffering with adult on-set diabetes and cardiovascular disease? Do you desire an economy that is not crippled by the cost of high health expenditures due to lifestyle diseases? Would you prefer a food chain that is driven by the quality of the nutrition and not by the quantity of profits? Let us begin by taking daily actions to support small businesses with those same ideals, and nourish ourselves by eating organic, grass-fed products from local family farms!

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Grass-Fed

No animal is meant to eat grains. Commercially raised cows, chickens, lamb, and hogs are diseased animals requiring huge doses of antibiotics to keep them alive until slaughter. As a result these animals become obese and inflamed. Eating a sick animal of poor quality is not going to nourish the human body or soul appropriately. To the contrary it will lessen the health and vitality of the consumer leading to poor cell quality and disease. If you want to maximize your health and vitality then start with quality raw materials for your body. As my teacher Paul Chek says "You can't make chicken salad out of chicken shit!" Commercially raised animals are literally chicken shit! It is abuse of the animals and the earth to raise them in such a manner and abuse of humans to sell them as food.
On May 21st Chaffin Family Orchards will be delivering the highest quality chickens and beef available to Equilibrio Wellness. If you are interested in ordering follow the links below for info and to place order.

http://www.chaffinfamilyorchards.com/

http://www.chaffinfamilyorchards.net/support_docs/meat_order_form.pdf

http://www.chaffinfamilyorchards.net/support_docs/chicken_order_form1.pdf

Monday, May 3, 2010

Community Screening of Fresh the Movie


Fresh celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Forging healthier, sustainable alternatives, they offer a practical vision for a future of our food and planet.

Legislature has passed health care reform; now its our turn to take our health back from the corporate food giants!

Following the Film will be a discussion with local farmers, chefs and foodies of all walks. Small bites showcasing local and healthy ingredients will be offered for a small donation.

May 21, 2010
Event is free to all, $10 suggested donation.
Doors open at 6:30pm, film starts at 7pm.

Friday, April 16, 2010

"Green sauce"

Equilibrio Green Sauce


This is a delicious and nutrient-dense vinaigrette/salad dressing/sauce/dip we've adapted from another recipe. It also works really well as a topping for any fish, poultry, or pork and can be thickened with the addition of egg yolks and more avocados. The sauce will keep well for a week or so, but to keep longer, be sure to add a thin layer of olive oil over the top to keep from oxidizing too much.

Tools: A good food processor (a good blender would work too- we use our vita-mix).

Ingredients: Puree the following in a food processor with a small amount of oil:

1/2 cup onion
3 cloves garlic
1-2 inch piece of ginger root, peeled and minced first.
Process.

Now add:
1 large avocado (about 1 cup)
2 cups cilantro tops (some stem is ok)
1 cup parsley tops (some stem is ok) flat leaf/Italian seems to work best.
We often add 1 bunch of basil as well (try baby bok-choy or arugula for variations) (might need to add a bit more oil or even water at the end to help get the consistency you want)
Puree in the processor until well chopped; It should be like a paste at this point.

Then add:
1/2 cup lemon juice or rice vinegar (meyers are our fave) *
1-2 tablespoons of raw honey or coconut sugar (bit of stevia and orange juice works too)**
Sea salt and pepper to taste.

Pulse the processor to fully combine, now with processor running, drizzle in:
1-2 ounces of EV olive oil
1 ounce sesame oil

*If on an antifungal/anti-yeast diet, be sure to use only lemons or apple cider.
**On an anti-fungal protocol, stevia is the preferred sweetener; small amounts of honey are usually tolerated.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Welcome

Equilibrio Wellness was conceived with the intention of having a positive impact on the health of the community in which we live.

We live in a hyper-capitalistic society based on un-informed consumption, individualism, and domination over nature. This post-modern, techno-dependent culture leaves us disconnected to ourselves, one another, and the earth. The result is dis-ease of the person and the culture as a whole.

Now, with public health in the public’s eye more than ever, Equilibrio’s goal of educating, inspiring, and empowering our community to lead balanced lives full of vitality, love, and connection, is an alternative to the status quo of consumption, individualism and war.

We hope to break the cycle of dis-ease and give the community a space of ease. Providing a place to get educated on proper nutrition, lifestyle, exercise and stress management. A place to connect with: ourselves, one another, and our earth.

Stay tuned to our blog for events, news, recipes, thoughts, insights, experiences and inspiration.

Peace, Love, and Health

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Group training at Equilibrio Wellness

Equilibrio Small Group Training


Whether you want to get stronger, become more flexible, improve your cardiovascular endurance, burn off some extra body fat, or all of the above, these classes are for you! Our highly effective training system will help you reach these goals, all in a safe, fun, and welcoming environment.
**These classes are not recommended if you have any special circumstances such as injuries or limitations which would require you to have a program designed specifically for you. If you are not sure if this is the right option for you, just ask us! We will work with you to make sure you're able to do what you'd like to do! **

Group Circuit Training with Andy Clover
Tuesday and Thursdays 7:00-8:00 PM
Wednesdays from 12:00-1:00 PM


In this dynamic 60-minute class, you will be led through a station-to-station fitness program (changed one a month) that is scientifically designed to boost your metabolism, increase your strength, decrease injuries, and allow you to function better in daily activities. All exercises will be supervised, proper technique will be coached throughout the class, and adjustments can be made according to each participant's ability or training level. You are welcome to join any of the classes, either once or twice per week. Each class will be different from the other, and the workout will be changed every month in order to keep you challenged and to allow your body to continue to adapt and change... to Evolve!
$20 per class if you pre-pay for the month. Drop-ins will be $25 per class and will be on a first come-first serve basis. To reserve your spot, call Andy at 317-847-0060, or email him at info.fitnessevolved@gmail.com

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Strength and Conditioning with Victor Quintana
Monday and Wednesday night at 5:45pm - 6:45pm!

An affordable alternative to personal training, this dynamic class will utilize kettlebells, sandbags, medicine balls, and martial arts to keep your body challenged! We will begin with a light warm-up and stretch, then move into strength building, focusing on proper form and alignment. The workout will end with a nice dose of metabolic conditioning to kick the body into fat-burning mode, and some solid core work to keep everyone's spine strong, stable, and pain-free. Modifications will be given for all levels, from the absolute beginner to the seasoned athlete.

First Class is Free. $25 drop-in. $100 for 5 classes. Reservations not necessary. Contact Equilibrio Wellness for more information.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Equilibrio Wellness Blog

Welcome to Equilibrio Wellness' Blog! Visit us here for the most updated info regarding events and workshops at our space. We will also soon be posting articles, recipes, exercise videos, and much much more!