I have been doing A LOT of juicing lately, some apple/carrot but mostly it has been green juice.

When I make green juice, I always try to mix it up so I am not using the exact same green vegetables every single day.

I’ll either use celery or cucumber as my base and then put kale, collards, swiss chard or some other type of leafy green in there. I’ll also throw in sprouts, if available, but will never juice spinach because of its high oxalic acid content.

One green that I used today was organic dandelion.

Without a doubt, dandelion offers tremendous health benefits. It is an excellent source of folate, magnesium, and phosphorus, and has plenty of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, iron and potassium.

The one thing about dandelion, however, is that it is pretty bitter.

In this juice above, I used organic cucumbers, dandelion, and sunflower shoots. Nothing more.

I drank it, but I must say that I’ve had better tasting green juice before.

The next time I decide to juice dandelion, for sure I will be adding either lemon or ginger to “soften” it up.

Unfortunately, this individual could not have been more wrong.

GMOs impact everyone, including people who eat 100% organic, and a recent study from the Pesticide Action Network confirms this.

Water sampling results from communities across four Midwestern states — Illinois, Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota — indicate Atrazine is present in drinking water at levels well above those linked to birth defects and low birth weight.

WHAT IS ATRAZINE AND WHY YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IT

Present in 94% of our water supply, Atrazine is a toxic weed killer and 76 million pounds of it is dumped onto our farms each year, mostly for corn.

And the health effects of Atrazine?

- The Pesticide Action Network reports that it has been linked to endocrine disruption, reproductive problems, and cancer.

- The President’s Cancer Panel reported that (PDF) Atrazine “has been shown to affect mammary gland development in animal studies with some findings suggesting multigenerational effects.”

- A study in Environmental Science reported that women who live in agricultural communities in Illinois experience much great menstrual cycle irregularities than women who live in Vermont, an area where Atrazine is sparingly used.

- Professor Tyrone Hayes, Endocrinologist at the University of California, reported from his research that frogs exposed to Atrazine were turning into hermaphrodites.

Syngenta, the world’s largest chemical manufacturer and maker of Atrazine, tried to convince Professor Hayes not to publish the results from his research, but he did not give in to their pressure.

Below is a MUST-WATCH video about Atrazine by The Huffington Post Investigative Fund.

GMOs AND PESTICIDE USE IMPACTS US ALL

If I lived in the Midwest, I would be absolutely furious.

Because of massive amounts of GMOs, which require extensive pesticide use, the quality of the water supply there is at dangerous levels and is now presenting a serious health risk – even to organic farmers and consumers. It is also causing tremendous environmental damage, including superweeds, which now infest 13 million acres around the U.S.

Yet, the Obama administration is so beholden to Big Ag that it continues to approve one toxic GM-crop after another and is close to giving the green light to a GM-corn that is resistant to 2,4-D, the primary ingredient in Agent Orange.

Believe it or not, there is a very good chance that we’ll soon be spraying Agent Orange on our farmland.

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT?

Since President Obama and the USDA/FDA continue to ignore this very dangerous problem, we have to take the matters into our own hands.

There are two things that you can do.

1) Get involved, donate money, and spread the word about the California ballot initiative to label GMOs.

Why?

Right now, we are the only developed country in the world not to label GMOs. If we can make the labeling of GMOs mandatory:

- the demand for GM-food will drop.

- the demand for organic will surge.

- toxic pesticide use will decrease, thus making our water supply cleaner.

The USDA/FDA refuses to make the labeling of GMOs mandatory on the federal level, so we have to do it on the state level.

In California, citizens – instead of politicians and bureaucrats – will be voting on this issue later this fall and if California approves this measure, other states will most likely do the same.

Please read this post about the California ballot initiative and consider donating money.

As you can imagine, the major chemical and seeds companies are petrified of this ballot initiative and will spend whatever it takes to defeat it.

Therefore, we need to raise millions to fight their propaganda and educate people on what is really going on.

2) Continue to support and eat organic food. By consuming organic food, we are keeping toxic chemicals out of our bodies AND our public water supply, particularly for those good people in the Midwest.

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Big thanks to the Pesticide Action Network for the fantastic work that they are doing.

For each action that a person takes on The Great Food Find (capped at 50 actions – an action would be answering questions, finding a product and adding it to the virtual tote bag, Tweeting something, Liking something on Facebook, etc), he or she will be added to the drawing to win a $15,000 kitchen makeover.

Also, the first 50,000 people who finish the entire online scavenger hunt, which ends May 21st, will receive coupons from Stonyfield and partner companies such as Annie’s Homegrown, Nature’s Path, Sambazon, Woodstock Farms, Organic Valley, Applegate Farms, Honest Tea and more.

“The aisles of the grocery store can be a confusing place with all of the different food products available and all of the misleading labels out there,” says Stonyfield Chairman Gary Hirshberg. “It’s clear that we’re in a time when people want to know as much as they can about their food, from who grew the ingredients to how it was produced. The interactive Great Food Find is a fun way to invite people to learn what’s really in the things we eat, and how all of this impacts our bodies, our communities and our planet.”

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Stonyfield’s Gary Hirshberg is a leading figure in the movement to get genetically-modified food labeled in the U.S. and has written a must-read e-book called LABEL IT NOW.

LABEL IT NOW is succinct, a very quick read, and gives you all of the information you need to know about why GMOs must be labeled and the serious health risks that they pose.

If you’re not 100% sure what GMOs are, why we need to be avoiding them, and why they must be labeled, I strongly urge you to buy this $3 book.

To see my review of LABEL IT NOW and to learn where to purchase it, click here.

I just got out of my Ashtanga yoga class and came home to make some medicine.

I believe that food is medicine, and the best medicine we can put into our bodies is fresh, organic juice. What you see above is living and curative nutrition.

Juicing takes time and effort, but your body and mind will thank you for doing it.

When I do not juice, I just do not feel the same. I tend to get down, am sluggish, and lack energy.

Here I am making an organic juice with collards and celery. The juicer I use is the Green Star 1000, the only home juicer that I recommend. (The Norwalk juicer is the best juicer available, but it is several thousand dollars, more of a commercial juicer, and not economically feasible for most people, myself included.)

When I juice, I ALWAYS wash my produce with the fruit/vegetable wash from Vermont Soap Organics - the only fruit/vegetable wash that I recommend. Beware: Many of the vegetable washes you find at the market contain very questionable ingredients. Watch my interview with Larry Plesent, founder of Vermont Soap Organics, to learn more about this.

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The beautiful weather has hit NYC today, and now that I am done juicing, I am going outside to get some sun.

Have a great weekend!!

Normally, I cringe when I hear the words “artisinal” or “specialty” to describe a food.

I just feel that they are overused terms that have been exploited for marketing purposes, similar to how all of the industrial food companies slap “natural” on so many of their products. And as we know, “natural” doesn’t mean anything.

Yet, when I tried out the cinnamon red maca almond butter by Jem, the first thought that came to my mind was “Wow, is this different. I guess this is what an artisinal or specialty product is supposed to taste like.”

How was it different?

In several ways.

One, it tasted like it was homemade and someone literally made it in their kitchen next door. Even with most organic butters that I very much enjoy, you just don’t get that same feeling.

Two, the flavor profile was unique and distinct.

Three, the texture was very light. Even the nut butters that advertise themselves as creamy are never as creamy as Jem’s. When I opened up the cap, it started to drip out of the bottle.

Aside from the fact that it is a raw nut butter, which means it hasn’t been heated above 118 degrees, the other reason why I like this product so much is because of the specific ingredients that Jem uses.

- I am a huge fan of coconut palm sugar, a sustainable and very popular sweetener that is low on the Glycemic Index.

- The almonds are sprouted, which allows us to absorb the maximum amount of enzymes from the nut.

- Maca is a fantastic superfood and increases stamina, immunity, vitality, and oxygen in the blood. Furthermore, it is mineral-rich with calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, sulfur and iron, and contains trace minerals, such as zinc, copper, selenium, manganese and silica.

- Cinnamon is an excellent spice and is often associated with longevity. In Ayurveda, cinnamon has helped with diabetes, and it has also been shown to have antifungal and antibacterial properties.

It is clear that a lot of thought and intelligence went into designing this almond butter. The exact ingredient list includes: spouted almonds, coconut palm sugar, red maca, cinnamon, vanilla.

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This is one of the best organic products I have seen in a long time and would make an excellent gift idea for someone. Jem’s raw chocolate is stellar as well and is something that I will review at a later date.

Cinnamon red maca almond butter by Jem can be ordered online and is sold mostly at retail locations in Oregon. In New York City, One Lucky Duck is selling select Jem products also.

This does not mean, however, I don’t get asked questions about fish. I do, quite a bit.

So, for the people who want to know what is the best fish to eat, what fish should they avoid, what fish have the most contaminants, and what are the least sustainable fish, our good friends at the Food & Water Watch have just released their 2012 Smart Seafood Guide.

The Smart Seafood Guide gives an excellent analysis on over 100 different fish, provides regional guides, and offers helpful suggestions so that consumers can make the healthiest and most sustainable choices possible.

The Food & Water Watch uses five major criteria when it comes to recommending seafood:

- Contaminants

- Status of the Stock

- Catch Method or Farming Method

- Economic/Cultural/Social Significance

- Key Species

THE DIRTY DOZEN OF FISH

Similar to what the Environmental Working Group does with the Dirty Dozen of fruits and vegetables, the Food & Water Watch has come out with its own Dirty Dozen of Fish – the 12 fish to avoid. These are fish that have failed at least two of the criteria for safe and sustainable seafood.

Here are three examples from the Dirty Dozen list:

CHILEAN SEABASS

Chilean seabass may contain levels of mercury contamination that pose a health risk to adults and children. For nearly a decade, illegal fishing has plagued Chilean seabass populations, while killing seabirds by the thousands, including several species of endangered albatrosses.

FARMED, ATLANTIC SALMON

Farmed salmon may contain levels of PCB contamination that pose a health risk to adults and children. It may also be contaminated with pesticides and antibiotics. Farmed salmon are usually raised in cages in open waters. These cages allow free-flow of anything from the farm into the wild, and promote transfer of diseases, especially sea lice, from caged to wild fish.

ATLANTIC COD

The Atlantic cod stock collapsed in the early 1990s and is currently undergoing overfishing. It is listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This species is frequently caught using bottom or otter trawls, nets that drag along the seafloor, and can damage the bottom habitat and remove or cover animals and plant life. This fishing method also can result in the unintended capture of many other types of marine life (bycatch).

To read what the other 9 fish are and to see the complete list of the Dirty Dozen, click HERE.

There is also a very handy Smart Seafood pocket guide (PDF File) that can be printed out and very easily carried around with you in your wallet or bag.

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Two other notes:

1) So why don’t I eat fish anymore?

I am concerned about the mercury levels in fish and have also lost the taste/desire for it over time.

2) The Food & Water Watch is a great non-profit that does some fantastic work protecting our food and water supply. Please consider supporting them.

This past weekend I was in Boston and had lunch with a friend of mine at The Prana Cafe in Newton, MA.

Here is the organic lunch that we had.

CARROT, APPLE, AND GINGER JUICE

NACHOS

The nacho plate came with dehydrated flax crackers, guacamole, salsa, and cheddar cheese.

VEGETABLE SUSHI

The sushi was filled with avocado, seasonal vegetables, and coconut and turnip rice, all wrapped in nori. Ginger and wasabi on the side.

SOUTHWEST TACO SALAD

The salad had shredded romaine lettuce, dehydrated beans, sesame dressing, avocado, and a dehydrated flax seed wrap.

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Overall, it was another great organic meal at The Prana Cafe, and I look forward to going back there the next time I am in Boston.

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Mile High Organics is nation’s first USDA-certified organic online grocer – Market Watch

Kashi’s cereal “natural” claims stir serious anger – USA Today

Chinese state government starting to crack down on organic food fraud – China Daily

Stonyfield Co-Founder Gary Hirshberg brings healthy and organic dining option to New York City – Restaurant News

Expert says organic food production will feed the world – ABC News

Legendary organic restaurant Cafe Gratitude opens in Kansas City – The Pitch

Costa Rican yoga resort serves its guests 3 organic meals per day – Seattle PI

Celeb mother Jenna Elfman on buying organic food for her kids – TIME Magazine

UN trade official encourages expansion of organic farming in Africa – All Africa

LocalShare launches pay-what-you-can organic dining in New Jersey – New Jersey Herald

Backers of GMO-labeling rally at the state capitol in Connecticut – NECN

I just found out about a new documentary about water that opens today and wanted to let you know about it as soon as I could.

The movie is called LAST CALL AT THE OASIS and has been developed, financed and executive produced by the same people who brought us FOOD, INC.

As you may very well know, I write a good amount about water on livingmaxwell because it is an extremely serious issue that does not get nearly enough attention as it should, and another documentary on this subject is always very welcome.

LAST CALL AT THE OASIS tells the story of our water crisis from many angles – the widespread contamination from pesticides, lack of regulation on fracking chemicals, sick children, and fractured farming.

The movie also illuminates the vital role that water plays in our lives, exposes defects in current regulatory systems, and highlights individuals championing revolutionary solutions.

While I have not seen LAST CALL AT THE OASIS myself, I have little doubt that it is an important documentary that will help raise awareness around the serious issues we face with water.

LAST CALL AT THE OASIS is opening up today in New York City and Los Angeles, and will then go nationwide this month. To see if and when it is playing in your city, click here.

For me, the key factors that determine whether an organic salad is noteworthy or not are freshness, taste, uniqueness of ingredients, presentation, and value.

At the end of the day, however, there is one dominant reason that these two are listed below – these are the ones that I think about and crave on a regular basis.

SUN IN BLOOM’S BELLA DIVINE

Sun in Bloom in Brooklyn is the absolute hidden gem of the New York City organic restaurant scene. This may be the only restaurant I go to where I have a strong desire to order the entire menu and everything in the refrigerator case.

Given that I do have to limit myself, I never fail to order the Bella Divine.

What makes the Bella Divine so fantastic is the freshness and softness of the kale, and the perfect amount of dressing. But without a doubt, the star of this salad is the sauerkraut.

Rarely, if ever, do I see salads that contain sauerkraut and this ingredient makes the dish. As a result of discovering the Bella Divine, I now incorporate sauerkraut into every single salad that I make at home.

Aside from the health benefits, sauerkraut adds a whole new dimension and complexity to the flavor of a salad.

The ingredients in the Bella Divine are avocado, dulse, housemade raw sauerkraut, kale, and a sesame ginger dressing.

ONE LUCKY DUCK’S PUMPKINSEED AND HERB SALAD

There is no other organic restaurant in New York City that even comes close to offering such a wide array of amazing organic salads.

While I have a small rotation of salads that I order when I go to One Lucky Duck, I always seem to come back to the Pumpkinseed and Herb Salad.

With this dish you’re not just eating fresh greens, but you’re also getting herbs such as cilantro and mint. This is a flavor profile that you rarely find in an organic salad.

Three other aspects of the salad that I love.

One, I am a huge fan of the the raw vegan parmesan on top. Two, I love how it comes in a big bowl – too many salads come on plate or in a small bowl. Three, the quantity of the salad is such that it will easily fill you up and can be your entire dinner.

The ingredients in the Pumpkinseed and Herb Salad are greens, kale, parsley, cilantro, mint, hemp seeds, pumpkinseed macadamia parmesan, and pumpkinseed lemon dressing.

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Having easy and regular access to Sun in Bloom and One Lucky Duck is reason enough to live in New York City.

Definitely check them out the next time you’re in town and try their salads. As you can tell, I am huge fan of them both.