Vegan Nutrition – Botanical Nutrition

Is a savory super food mushroom combination healthier than bone broth?

Antioxidants, Cooloidal Silver, Dietary Minerals, dietary supplements, Mushrooms, Natural Medicine, Paul Stamets, Plant Medicine, Seaweed, super foods, Vegan Nutrition

Are you looking for a way to get a nutritious broth that is plant-based? Enter Boneless Broth a nutritious blend of fermented food, complete plant protein and certified organic sea vegetables that packs a healthy punch. It is tasty, warming, and invigorating – a synergy of taste that many have raved about.

Ever since The Food Movement’s Boneless Broth launched, we’ve been getting feedback from vegans, and other kinds of eaters, who love the savory nutritious Moringa Miso taste. Many have said, why don’t you add mushrooms – a known source of super food nutrients and ‘umami’ taste? The answer is – one man, Paul Stamets, and his brand, Host Defense (part of his Fungi Perfecti company), have done mushrooms so perfectly – there is little to be improved upon.

So we at the Food Movement so as we advise others to do – we soup up our broth with freeze-dried mycelia from Host Defense, and add it to the delicious Boneless Broth Moringa Miso. My favorite combination is simple :

1 tablespoon Boneless Broth Moringa Miso

3 capsules of freeze-dried Mycelia

add to at least 6 oz. of warm (but not boiling water)

I first worked with Paul Stamets’ mushrooms and mycelia during my time at the Eclectic Institute, founded by the late Dr. Ed K Alstat (God rest). They truly are the best in the world, and today his brand Host Defense bring mushroom health to many across the world.

We’ve been adding Stamets 7 to our Boneless Broth from the beginning… simply by opening capsules of the fresh freeze-dried mycelia or even drops of the Stamets 7 extract. But now, I am so excited to announce that to try this amazing taste combination you no longer have to open those pullulan caps with your fingers. That’s right…. it is coming…

Soon you will be able to add Stamets 7, the amazing blend of 7 medicinal mushrooms formulated by Paul Stamets to any of your kitchen creations (including the savory Boneless Broth) because next month Host Defense is launching the famous Stamets 7 formula as a powdered super food! There are other mushrooms out there, but none is like Host Defense.

Paul Stamets designed this blend of seven mushroom species (Royal Sun Blazei, Cordyceps, Reishi, Maitake, Lion’s Mane, Chaga and Mesima) to support general immunity.* Many use Stamets 7® as a functional food multiple for maintaining peak performance and health.*

Coming next month, Fungi Perfecti and Host Defense will be offering Stamets 7 as a freeze-dried organic mycelial powder, along with 6 other innovative mushroom powders. The mushroom revolution has just begun!

Who thought of that? Looking back at the original Garden Burger

うま味, Vegan Nutrition, Veggie Burgers, whole foods

I’m a food geek, I’ll admit it. And all food geeks have fetishes. Mine is veggie burgers. I’m no longer strictly vegan (sorry internet!) but lately Impossible and Beyond burgers have been my weakness. (Stay tuned for really cool innovations from the Food Movement).

impossibleburger.0

While there have been cool and innovative additions to this category, it is interesting to look back at the original Garden Burger – developed by Paul Wenner in his vegetarian restaurant the Gardenhouse in Gresham, Oregon.

When Gardenburger launched, it essentially created the category of veggie burger. While it does contain cheese, and was therefore inaccessible to vegans, much as the Moringstar Farms products contained eggs, this was a first in American cuisine. This was the invention of the veggie burger as a commercially viable product!

Gardenburger today

In 2012, Wenner launched the Gardenbar, which was documented in The Mail Tribune as Paul Wenner “reinventing himself.” Paul’s current LinkedIn profile has recently announced”I have a new line of products that I am finishing up this year that will be kicked off with a movie,an informercial, a TV show, and a new book. GardenChef Paul™”

Black Maca – a unique phenotype of super food for maximized human performance

Antioxidants, dietary supplements, Energy Medicine, Food Activism, Health Foods, Maca, Natural Medicine, Nutritional Supplements, Plant Medicine, Vegan Nutrition, whole foods

I’m a huge fan of Maca root. It really is one of the most energizing foods (other than things that contain stimulants, like the caffeine in coffee or theobromine in chocolate) and it is also a powerful adaptogen (balancing substance). Some times called the “Ginseng of super foods” it helps combat fatigue, is an aphrodisiac, and is chock-full of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients.

Some years ago, our company The Food Movement started importing a couple of unique phenotypes of Maca root, specifically the Red and Black Maca, from Peru where it is exclusively grown. (Maca needs the high-altitude and rich volcanic soil in the Andes mountains to truly thrive).

People always ask me – what is the difference between these varieties? And companies who market the cheaper varieties (mostly conventional Yellow Maca or gelatinized powders) sometimes claim there is NO difference between different ecotypes of Maca. Well, I can offer my opinion all day long, but when people start making assertions that are just plain false, I find a good way to balance out these differences in information is to turn to the science.

CAN BLACK MACA IMPROVE YOUR … mood? energy levels? blood sugar levels? libido? overall health status?

In this post, I want to look specifically at Black Maca. A very interesting study compared the effects of Black and Red Maca in otherwise healthy individuals. They found some differences in chemistry, in that the levels of fatty acids and macamides (more on this in a minute) were higher in Black Maca, while the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA dominated in the Red. Both varieties resulted in improvement in mood, energy, and health status, and reduced CMS score (chronic mountain sickness which occurs at high altitudes) but only the Black Maca reduced blood glucose.

Researchers in the journal Andrologia compared extracts of Black and Yellow Maca to try and raise the sperm count in adult mice. They found that “Black maca administration resulted in higher concentration of sperm count in epididymis and vas deferens compared to yellow maca. ”

One customer writing to TFMC commented “I feel like a new man taking the Food Movement Black Maca. One tablespoon a day got me feeling good and having more energy, but when I started adding 2 or more to my smoothie — woooooo! I was hooked. I’ll be ordering at least once a month from now on.”

There is much more research on Maca root, but I’ve given you just a couple of the studies comparing the different ecotypes of Maca. So, when someone says there is “no difference” between different kinds of Maca, they are quite misinformed according to the published research.

Which type is best for you? Only you can answer that – lately I have found very good effects from mixing more than one kind. The really amazing benefits of what I like to call The Maca Trifecta (red, black and yellow combined) is something to be experienced.

The health benefits of humic fulvic Zeolite

Cleansing, Dietary Minerals, dietary supplements, Vegan Nutrition, Vibrational Healing, Zeolite

Have you heard of the powerful nutritional supplement Zeolite? You may be asking – what is this, and what can it do for me? Well, many health experts recommend Zeolite because it has a unique cage-like structure which allows it to trap and neutralize pollutants in the body.

Internet health expert Doctor Nick Zyrowski has called Zeolite “the most effective detoxification” supplement available today.

And he’s not alone! Dr Gabriel Cousens has used liquid Zeolite to treat many patients, and has written the following :

“In my research to develop a detoxification system for prospective mothers, I recently learned about a naturally occurring mineral called zeolite, which has a unique, negatively charged, crystalline structure.
Zeolite is formed from the fusion of lava and ocean water, and combines all four elements. I feel that zeolite is an alchemical gift from God. It has been used for more than 800 years in Asia as a remedy for overall health and well-being, and is on the FDA’s GRAS list (generally recognized as safe). Zeolite is available commercially in a purified, activated form, in the zeolite product.”

Dr. Cousens continues :

“The results of research on zeolite are very impressive:
Zeolite appears to prevent and may become an important treatment for cancer. In one study, 78 percent of the 65 participants with terminal cancer (many types) are now in complete remission for 12 months (LifeLink Pharmaceuticals, 2005, currently not published).
“It has a chelation-like effect in removing heavy metals (particularly lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic), pesticides, herbicides, PCBs, and other toxins from the body, shown in a study of miners at Duke University. These toxins are strongly correlated with the occurrence of a wide range of diseases, including cancers and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s, autism, and dementia.
“Zeolite also improves liver function, indirectly improving elimination of pesticides, herbicides, and xeno-estrogens.

“Zeolite appears to block viral replication, and may prove to be a potent anti-viral and general remedy for all viruses. To date, 40 anecdotal cases of herpes zoster have reportedly been healed.
“Preliminary anecdotal case studies suggest that it may help alleviate rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and hepatitis C as well as the common cold and flu.

“Zeolite’s binding power was proven during the Chernobyl disaster, when tons of it were used to remove radioactive cesium and strontium-90 before they contaminated local water systems.

“Zeolite creates a natural buffer in the system by establishing an optimal pH level (between 7.35 and 7.45), which in turn activates healthy brain function and a strong immune system.” *

Black Earth Zeolite, sold by the Food Movement Company, combines liquid Zeolite into a base of humic fulvic minerals. The combination of organic acids and minerals makes for a very safe detoxification agent that is extremely safe, and effective in neutralizing toxins and contributing to a more alkaline pH in the blood stream.

*These quotations are from Dr. Gabriel Cousens, MD, renowned medical authority and author. They are not intended to endorse any specific product and are not intended by the author of this article to treat, cure or mitigate disease.

The Return of Alkalize 55

Antioxidants, Energy Medicine, Health Foods, Natural Medicine, Nutritional Supplements, Vegan Nutrition

UPDATE AUGUST 29, 2018 : IT IS HERE! Alkalize 55 is in house and shipping to all of our independent health food store customers. That’s right. Amazon is not in the picture.

While you can order Alkalize 55 directly from the Food Movement Company link here we are encouraging you to purchase it directly from your LOCAL health food store.

****

It is almost here. It has been almost two years since we have produced a bottle of Alkalize 55 at the Food Movement Company in Illinois. The requests for more have been constant. I’m not bragging, I’m actually reflecting sadly – because having to turn people away from a product that has helped them is heartbreaking.

When we first launched Alkalize 55, the product was marketed to health practitioners exclusively. Medicatrix Naturae was a sister company of TFMC, and many doctors and other healers latched onto the combination of fermented foods and humic fulvic minerals instantly.

Just as the Ancient Greek Paracelsus added back mineral ash to his spagyric extracts to recapture the earth elements, the addition of humic fulvic minerals to fermented super foods brings forth a synergy of energies. The wholeness of the person being treated is better addressed by a holistic formulation, and one that is food based and also has ultra trace minerals.

Basic RGB

Sparing you the details of the business complications that have prevented us from making this formula – suffice to say that it is soon to be available again. We hope by July 1st to have this amazing formula back in stock. I’m sure we will do some cool promotion to celebrate its arrival, and more will be posted here for sure.

Maybe a giveaway contest, what do you think?

Can humic acid minerals and zeolite help to detoxify your body?

Cleansing, Dietary Minerals, dietary supplements, Quantum Healing, Vegan Nutrition, Vibrational Healing

Unique trace mineral compounds known as humates contain humic acid, a specific type of humic acid called fulvic acid, and also as many as 72 micro-nutrient trace minerals.

A growing body of research into these substances suggests that they may have great benefit for human health!

Researchers in Phytotherapy Research found that “The anti-inflammatory action of potassium humate can be contributed to the inhibition of the release of inflammatory-related cytokines, an adhesion molecule, oxidants and components of the complement system.”

The complement system is a part of the innate immune system that “enhances (complements) the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear microbes and damaged cells from an organism, promotes inflammation, and attacks the pathogen’s cell membrane”

Other studies have examined the role of humic and fulvic mineral compounds as effective immuno-stimulants, anti-carcinogenics and chelating agents for detoxification of heavy metals. Another compound that has been researched for these purposes is Zeolite.

For more information on emerging studies visit livingorganicearth.com

Introducing Boneless Broth – the plant-based super food instant health drink!

Antioxidants, Raw Foods, Seaweed, Umami, Vegan Nutrition, whole foods

Folks, over at the Food Movement we are ringing in the New Year in a really special way! We are soon unveiling our brand new Boneless Broth product line, with our first recipe – Boneless Broth Moringa Miso.

‘Lots of us try to add some nutritional benefit to our lives by supplementing with super foods. There are lots of good ones out there; but this new Boneless Broth formula combines three heavy-hitters for a trifecta of souper foods!

Our new formula contains

-freeze-dried organic Red Miso (made from non-GMO soy beans)

-organic Moringa oleifera leaf (known as the ‘Miracle Tree’)

-organic Dulse flakes – a treasure trove of ocean nutrition in the form of a delicious seaweed that has been called “bacon of the sea” for its savory, meaty flavor

What you get is an amazing instant soup mix dietary supplement; that is to say you are getting complete proteins, minerals, antioxidants – and lots of unique constituents like the dipocolonic acid in Miso that makes it a powerful detoxifying food! This is a daily nutritional supplement made 100% from organic food.

And – get ready for this – it contains no sugar. It is naturally savory, full of umami flavor – if you will, and deeply satisfying. It is a great way to start and end your day, and for anywhere inbetween.

Check out our special introductory offer on Boneless Broth Moringa Miso

What makes Miso the ultimate umami souper food?

Antioxidants, dietary supplements, glutamates, Natural Medicine, Umami, Vegan Nutrition

Miso is the most prevalent form of fermented food in the world, traditionally made from fermented soybeans, aspergillus oryzae culture (koji) and salt. Other ingredients are frequently incorporated such as grains, sea vegetables, mushrooms and scallions.

Miso is a traditional soup which has been popular in Japan for hundreds of years, and is linked back to origins in China in the 3rd century BCE and another fermented food called Hishio.

Food Movement Miso

Have you ever eaten in a sushi or traditional Japanese restaurant? Chances are you’ve had Miso soup. But did you know it has some amazing health benefits as well?

Miso owes it’s highly satisfying savory taste to the interaction between protein phytochemicals called glutamates, and their interaction with various other peptides. In fermentation the components of the original soy bean are transformed, made digestible, and given that unique “Umami” taste.

Studies indicate that Miso may lower blood pressure through the activation of the body’s dopamine pathways, may help to prevent stroke, and to even protect against cancer and radiation exposure.

There is a definite connection between Miso’s unique properties, the Umami taste, and the presence of unique glutamates and peptides formed by fermentation. In addition, the savory flavor may bet activating part of our pallet and our brain that is missing when we concentrate only on salty and sweet foods.

New Study Investigates Probiotic Strains in Iranian Pickled Vegetables

Food Reviews, probiotics, Raw Foods, Science Media, Vegan Nutrition

A new study published in the journal GMS Hygiene and Infection Control (there’s one to throw out on your coffee table…) identified probiotic strains found in fermented vegetable pickles in Iran.

Iranian Pickled Vegetables

Dallal Soltan et al wrote “The results of this study showed that the dominant LAB in traditional Persian pickled vegetables are L. plantarum, L. brevis, L. pentosus, L. casei, L. paracasei, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides. Moreover, L. plantarum was recognized as a probiotic species in pickled vegetables. The raw data obtained from this study can be used in the pickling industry to improve the nutritional value of products.”

Many of these strains have been researched for their efficacy in improving human health outcomes. The pickle you save may be your own!

Whole Earth Radio Episode 3

End World Hunger, Food Activism, Health Foods, Humic Acid, super foods, Sustainable Agriculture, Uncategorized, Vegan Nutrition

So you say you want a revolution? The battle for the heart and soul of natural living rages on. Which side are you on and which side will you choose? The ensuing battle isn’t just about how we SHOP, it is about how we LIVE – and in result about the fate of our PLANET. What more important revolution could there possibly be? All right! All right!

Listen to Whole Earth Radio now :

WHOLE EARTH RADIO Episode 3

Moringa : Super Foods Best Kept Secret

Antioxidants, dietary supplements, End World Hunger, Energy Medicine, Food Activism, Health Foods, Plant-Based Vitamins, Vegan Nutrition

Have you heard of Moringa, known as ‘the Miracle Tree’? If not, you’re not alone – but this may be a super food you really want to look into. Known as the “miracle tree”, it may be one of the best kept secrets in health food in the US – but its impact has been felt all around the world.

Moringa

The plant, latin binomial Moringa oleifera, is native to India, and is now grown on many continents.

The Food Movement began importing Moringa in 2011, and since that time demand and presence in the US natural marketplace has steadily grown. One of the reasons for this is that of all the ‘green foods’ one can choose as a supplement – Moringa has some really unique phytochemical benefits beyond the usual suspects of chlorophyll and vitamins. The leaves provide a source of complete protein, and are an unusually rich source of nutrition.

A 2017 review in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine concluded ” ..due to its high nutritional value and several medicinal properties, this tree may act as a nutritional and medical alternative for socially neglected populations.”

moringa facts

Another review in the journal Phytotherapy Research found that “A rapidly growing number of published studies have shown that aqueous, hydroalcohol, or alcohol extracts of M. oleifera leaves possess a wide range of additional biological activities including antioxidant, tissue protective (liver, kidneys, heart, testes, and lungs), analgesic, antiulcer, antihypertensive, radioprotective, and immunomodulatory actions. A wide variety of polyphenols and phenolic acids as well as flavonoids, glucosinolates, and possibly alkaloids is believed to be responsible for the observed effects. ”

Due to these unique properties it has been labeled “the miracle tree” and groups like Trees for Life have planted millions of the plant across starvation-ravaged African nations. In addition to providing nutrition and medicine from the leaves and pods, the seeds of the Moringa tree can also be used to purify brackish water and are recommended for such purposes by the World Health Organization.

The Food Movement has sought to combine these benefits – the unique health-giving properties of the tree – along with the beneficial social and environmental impact; by selling organic Moringa in the US to raise money for groups like Trees for Life. Whether your interest is in Moringa’s ability to combat hunger and lack of clean drinking water on a global scale; or if you’re just looking for health benefits for yourself – Moringa can be a true miracle.

Dulse Sea Vegetable : Amazing Nutrition from the Ocean

Antioxidants, Seaweed, super foods, Vegan Nutrition

Let me just say this – if you’re not eating sea veggies you are missing out. We talk a lot about super foods; but I can say with absolute certainty there are few foods that rival the nutritional benefits from seaweed.

There are many varieties of sea veggies; Kelp, Nori, Wakame, Irish Moss – the list goes on and on. Some of them are savory and slightly sweet, others more bitter or earthy tasting. One of the most beneficial kinds of sea vegetable for my money is Dulse (Palmaria palmata) a vegetable that grows in the North regions of the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans.

0715_Dulse1

Dulse has a really nice umami sort of taste to it, and some folks even use it as a plant-based substitute for Bacon flavoring. Ever tried a DLT (Dulse, lettuce and tomato) sandwich? Try it and you might be surprised.

In addition to being a very flavorful food, Dulse has a host of health benefits. Like all sea veggies, it contains a wide variety of beneficial trace minerals, including energizing electrolytes and the essential nutrient Iodine. A growing body of research suggests that Americans may be largely deficient in Iodine, some even going so far as to label the deficiency a public health crisis.

But it isn’t just the minerals, like Iodine, that Dulse contains. Scientific research published in the journal Food Research International indicates that the phycobiliproteins and chlorophyll in Dulse contribute to an anti-inflammatory effect. Inflammation is one of the leading cause of negative health outcomes, and a major contributor to pain and discomfort in the body.

Another study showed that these same compounds in Dulse can inhibit ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme). The Mayo Clinic says this about ACE inhibitors “Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors help relax blood vessels. ACE inhibitors prevent an enzyme in your body from producing angiotensin II, a substance in your body that narrows your blood vessels and releases hormones that can raise your blood pressure. This narrowing can cause high blood pressure and force your heart to work harder.”

When you add a sea vegetable like Dulse into your diet, you aren’t just satisfying your taste buds – you also satisfy your hunger (iodine being a major factor in normal thyroid function), you are re-energizing your entire system with trace mineral nutrients that work on every level of the human body to help promote balance. You’re also quite possibly helping to relax blood vessels and fight inflammation at a cellular level.

In short – if you don’t have Dulse in your cupboard, you might be missing out!

Study shows Moringa, Soy & Mushroom soup powder higher in nutrients than other soup powders

dietary supplements, End World Hunger, Health Foods, Natural Medicine, Sustainable Agriculture, Vegan Nutrition, whole foods

The journal Food Science & Nutrition recently published interesting study from India, as it shows the practical applications of three ‘super foods’ as a whole food soup mix. Cooked Moringa & Soy were combined with a few other ingredients (corn starch, salt and preservative). The study, entitled Formulation and nutritional evaluation of a healthy vegetable soup powder supplemented with soy flour, mushroom, and moringa leaf, is linked here.

Moringa The Food Movement

Compared to other soup powders, this combination of super foods (they used the highly beneficial Oyster mushrooms) was found to have thee “Highest content of vitamin D, minerals, protein, and fiber” as well as Vitamin C.

Vegan Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) : Myths and Misconceptions

Antioxidants, dietary supplements, Plant Medicine, Vegan Nutrition

Hey folks, I don’t know where you live, but here in the Midwestern US of A it is about to get a lot less sunny. And you know what that means? Yes, it is once again Vitamin D season.

Now, if you’ve read my blog posts over time you’ve seen me blog about Vegan D3 over the past couple of years. Back then, an innovative company in the U.K. came out with a lichen-extracted (and therefore animal-free and vegan) form of Vitamin D3 cholecalciferol. The Food Movement was the first company in North America to bring this unique cruelty-free form of Vitamin D3 into the health food marketplace. Yet still many myths and misconceptions exist so we are going through them one by one today.

Next time you see a product made with D3 from sheep’s wool lanolin which claims to be 99% vegan (I’m not making this stuff up, folks) please write and tell the nice people how ill-informed they are. Nothing personal; but misinformation is the enemy. Call them out, give them my e-mail and we will set the record straight.

MYTH #1 – ALL VITAMIN D3 (CHOLECALCIFEROL) COMES FROM ANIMALS

In terms of dietary supplements this was true up until a couple of years ago. But research by legendary mycologist Paul Stamets indicates that organic mushrooms also contain active D3, not just D2. So, there are true ‘food’ sources of D3 out there. However, if you are facing Vitamin D deficiency (which many more people are than realize) you need a therapeutic dose of at least 1000 IU, perhaps 5000. So you need a dietary supplement. Many folks have seen dramatic results using the plant-based Vitashine (TM) form.

MYTH #2 – IT DOESN’T MATTER WHICH FORM, AS LONG AS YOU GET VITAMIN D

Evidence, meaning credible scientific research, suggests that not only does the body prefer D3 (cholecalciferol) to D2 (ergocalciferol), but supplementing with D2 may actually INHIBIT the body’s production of D3. Think on that one for a moment, manufacturers of products!

While many vegan products contain D2 (ergocalciferol), which is not an animal product, they may not be a viable source of absorbable Vitamin D.

The research on Vitamin D3 is truly staggering. Check out some of the studies on deficiency alone!

MYTH #3 – EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT GUARANTEES YOUR BODY WILL MAKE ENOUGH VITAMIN D

You know one thing that blocks vitamin D production? Sunscreen. Now, I’m not telling you whether or not to wear sunscreen – but I can also tell you anecdotally that I have talked to many folks who live in sunny areas, get out a fair amount, and have gone to the doctor ( a key factor here) and found their vitamin D levels were low.

You can get a great deal on Vegan D3 capsules here

Moringa documentary drives home ‘The Miracle Tree’s contribution to hunger relief

Antioxidants, dietary supplements, Dr Oz, End World Hunger, Health Foods, Nutritional Supplements, Plant Medicine, Plant-Based Vitamins, Vegan Nutrition

When I think of ‘food medicine’ (and the arbitrary distinction between what is ‘food’ and ‘medicine’ in the West, as opposed to in the East) I often think of Moringa. You may know of it because of its reputation as a high source of vitamins and minerals. In fact the freeze-dried biodynamic Medicatrix Moringa has as much Calcium gram for gram as many Calcium isolated supplements such as Calcium Carbonate! Yet it is in a whole plant form and arguably more beneficial, if only because of the broad range of phytonutrients a whole plant can offer.

The video below drives home an important aspect of the plant – its role in alleviating hunger and other afflictions in Africa and other parts of the world. While the West suffers from diseases of excess, mother Africa still struggles with the fundamentals of survival. Moringa may be part of the solution for both. Watch the video if you get the chance and support our friends at Trees of Life. Tell them the food movement sent you!

Moringa : Whole Leaf Super Food Nutrition

dietary supplements, End World Hunger, Health Foods, Plant Medicine, Sustainable Agriculture, Uncategorized, Vegan Nutrition, Vibrational Healing

Moringa oleifera is a tree native to the southern foothills of the Himalayas in northwestern India and widely cultivated in Africa, Central and South America, Sri Lanka, India, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

I’ve been really interested in Moringa for a number of years. It has quite a reputation internationally as one of the world’s most nutritious foods. As an herbalist, I’ve been intrigued by the possibilities of a food that offers so much benefit to anyone ingesting it, and also hope to those looking for dynamic botanical solutions to the problems of world hunger. There are so many aspects of Moringa oleifera to consider. For now, we are looking primarily at the leaf as a dynamic source of nutrition, though the ‘drumstick’ fruit pods are very commonly eaten as well. The roots and the seeds, when harvested, provide other diverse benefits.

This is an extremely important plant! It is a complete protein, contains a good deal of nutrients including calcium, iron, magnesium, is a complete protein source and contains many different vitamins and unique phytochemicals. It would be ridiculous to ‘standardize’ or extract this plant, it is a leaf vegetable used across the world for many years.

Yet it has been virtually absent from the U.S. market. Unfortunately what little I myself have found on the market has been of very low quality. As I’ve worked with the Food Movement to find a premium raw material internationally (which we have finally secured – more on that to come) I have come to appreciate why it is so easy to get it wrong with Moringa.

(The Food Movement biodynamic freeze-dried Moringa whole leaf powder will be available here in September.)

Initially, suppliers of Ayurvedic herbs would offer Moringa leaf powder at a surprisingly low price. Then, we found that some suppliers would only offer it as an extract, because the fresh raw material was often easily contaminated with potentially harmful microbes. I myself believe that the only preparation one should consider is the whole leaf. It is, after all, a food.

There is definite misinformation out there causing some to consider something other than whole leaf Moringa. Just look to the wiki page on Moringa oleifera and you find this nugget of (mis)information

“Some of the calcium in moringa leaves is bound as crystals of calcium oxalate^[14] which may inhibit calcium availability to the body. It is not clear whether the calculation of the reported amount of calcium in moringa leaves includes such non-bioavailable calcium.”

However, the reference they provide only documents that Moringa contains calcium oxalate (which it does, and many plant sources of calcium do) not that calcium oxalate is a non-bioavailable calcium. A study published in 1999 in The Journal of Nutrition found that calcium oxalate indeed was a bioavailable form of calcium. The researchers concluded “Thus, calcium bound as a small, neutral, calcium salt such as calcium oxalate does not have to be dissociated prior to absorption. Possibly other small compounds would be similarly absorbed. These results alter our current understanding of calcium bioavailability from foods and therapeutic agents.”

Anybody good at doing wikipedia edits? I believe many people who have a negative opinion of calcium in plants as “non-bioavailable” would benefit from seeing this study.

Oh, and if the waters weren’t all ready murky enough for you… now Dr Oz has entered the arena…

Stay tuned to this bat channel for more examinations of the many healing aspects of Moringa to come. Harvest time is now!

Vegan vitamin D-3 really does exist!

dietary supplements, Health Foods, Nutritional Supplements, Plant Medicine, Quantum Healing, Uncategorized, Vegan Nutrition

The internet is an interesting place. Nowadays we can point and click quicker than ever (anyone remember dial up?) to find the answer to our latest trivia question, settle intellectual debates or just find out where we are.

However, some things don’t change THAT fast. Take for example the new Vegan Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) recently launched by the Food Movement. The U.S. manufacturer of Vegan D3 (made with a source material, Vitashine, made from Lichen and produced in the U.K.) is presently available, and represents the first truly verified plant-based vitamin D3 available.

Just do a Google search for vegan and vegetarian newsgroups and you can find lots of (assumedly, well-meaning) people asserting “there is NO SUCH THING as Vegan D-3”. (In their defense, up until recently there was not). Still, the amount of misinformation being spread on news groups includes ‘facts’ like these. “Even if the D3 was vegan, the capsule would not be.” Umm, vegetarian capsules were invented about 20 years ago? Are people really unaware of this?

The truth is out there, The Food Movement Vegan D-3 was recently reported in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. (I’ve lived there and, trust me, if any place in the U.S. needs good Vitamin D it is Seattle!)

Up until recently, the only form of commercially available animal-free vitamin D was D-2 (ergocalciferol) which is derived from yeast, yet has been shown in scientific studies to be poorly absorbed. The active form D-3 (cholecalciferol) was only available from sheep’s wool lanolin or fish. (I have also seen people online mistakenly reporting that cholecalciferol is “made from sheep’s intestines”. I have seen zero evidence to support this, and I think it is based on a distortion of the facts about the lanolin version.) There is also much debate about the mushroom-based form of D-3 which is sold by only one manufacturer and offers no independent verification of their product.

So, vegans and vegetarians, spread the word. Vegan D3 is here. Check your local health food store (they still need your support) or if necessary check Amazon.

For information on Vegan D3 directly from The Food Movement, click here

The Food Movement to Release Plant-Based Vitamin D-3 to US Health Food Stores

End World Hunger, Health Foods, Plant Medicine, Sustainable Agriculture, Vegan Nutrition

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient which has become more and more popular in recent years as a nutritional supplement. However, those following a pure vegetarian (vegan) diet have been left out in the cold because all of the vitamin D-3 (cholecalciferol) on the U.S. market is derived from animal sources (either fish oil or sheep’s wool lanolin.) Those looking for a non-animal-derived vitamin D have been forced to accept vitamin D-2, which has been shown to be much less bioavailable to the human body.

The Food Movement Co., based in the Chicago, IL area, has announced that they will soon release one of the first completely vegan vitamin D-3 products. Plans to produce a 5,000 i.u. 60 softgel capsule and 1,000 i.u. 120 spray bottle are currently under way.

The vitamin D-3 is derived sustainably from a unique Lichen species found high in the mountains of Asia. This product is very unique, and represents a hallmark for those following a pure vegetarian diet and seeking greater health. For more information on the various health benefits of vitamin D-3 check here.

The Food Movement has a mission to bring human beings greater health through nutrient-dense plant foods. Additionally, their agenda is to alleviate hunger and to encourage environmental sustainability and greater biodiversity.