FAQs
what is organic?
For a food to be organic, farmers must comply with strict production standards. This means foods are grown without conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers, human waste or sewage sludge. Organic foods also are processed without ionizing radiation or food additives. In most countries, organic produce must not be genetically modified. When it comes to livestock, organic farmers avoid antibiotics and growth hormones.
why organic?
Because all life is organic, organic farmers use methods that respect and encourage life, including the microbes in the soil. To preserve the health of the soil, they do not use manufactured chemicals as pesticides and herbicides. Only composting and cover cropping are used to enrich soil fertility. This organic approach promotes the health of the soil as nature intended—and soon nourishes the plant. Ultimately, the plant feeds you!
why local food?
Our ancestors expected a tomato to taste like a tomato. Their potatoes had a distinct, rich flavor that didn't need butter, sour cream or chives. Today, vegetables are often less nutritious and flavorful because they are harvested before they are ripe and shipped long distances. The wonderful flavors and high nutritional content remain unique to organic, locally-produced fresh vegetables. Heirloom varieties are used as often as possible. These seeds are handed down from generation to generation as prized possessions among local growers’ families.
what is macrobiotic?
The term "macrobiotics" comes from the Greek "macro" meaning large and long and "bios" meaning life. Those on a macrobiotic diet eat grains as a staple and supplement other foods, such as vegetables and beans. They avoid highly processed and refined foods. A macrobiotic diet also addresses the manner of eating. The diet recommends eating a variety of foods and thoroughly chewing them before swallowing. Overeating, and eating anything too much or too often, is discouraged. Macrobiotics focuses on eating for your environment, your health and what’s in season.
what is a vegetarian?
Vegetarians exclude meat, such as beef, poultry and slaughter by-products as well as fish, such as shellfish. The strictness of the diet can vary. Some vegetarians also eliminate eggs and other foods produced from animal labor, such as dairy products and honey.
what is a vegan diet?
A vegan diet is a stricter form of vegetarianism that eliminates all animal products from the diet, such as meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, eggs and honey. Strict vegans also exclude foods processed with these foods and avoid wearing animal products, such as wool, silk, leather and fur—even if not directly related to the slaughter of an animal.
vegan & vegetarian diets: where is the protein?
Being a vegetarian doesn’t mean your diet lacks protein. Most plant foods contain protein making it difficult to be protein deficient. In fact, too much protein can cause health problems.
Proteins are made up of about 20 amino acids, eight of which are essential to one’s diet. Unlike animal proteins, plant proteins may not contain all the essential amino acids in the right proportions. Consuming a variety of foods offers a mixture of proteins—and the amino acids in one protein can compensate for the deficiencies of another. So, one of the benefits of a vegetarian diet is that it contains adequate, but not excessive, protein.
what is sea salt?
When the salty waters of the oceans and seas evaporate, sea salt is formed. Gourmet cooks often favor sea salt over ordinary table salt for its special flavor and coarse texture, though the taste differs less when it dissolves. When sea salt's texture is retained, the difference in the rate it dissolves also changes flavor. The high mineral content, which differs from pink Himalayan salt or grey rock salt, also affects the taste. Overall, sea salt is a better, more natural form of salt and it tastes great too!
what is seaweed?
It may be surprising that seaweed, a humble, common class of plants, offers abundant health benefits—and these effects have been known for ages. Today, modern science has found that seaweed is packed full of critical vitamins and minerals that include rare trace elements. In the body, seaweeds merge with free radicals, toxins and heavy metals. This process reduces unhealthy chemicals and toxins making seaweeds one of the most healthy, detoxifying, complete foods.
what is msg?
Monosodium glutamate, also known as sodium glutamate and MSG, is a non-essential amino acid/glutamic acid. Commonly marketed as a flavor enhancer, this food additive can negatively influence the body’s metabolism by over stimulating the glutamine receptors of the brain. This means that MSG heightens salty and sweet tastes, while dampening the bitter and sour tastes. In addition, MSG may raise insulin levels and cause one to eat more.
what are genetically modified foods?
GMOs, genetically modified foods, are foods that have been altered with the DNA of different animals and plants. The long-term impact of GMOs on health has not been established, but the early information points to risks.
In Japan, a bacterium modified to synthesize amino acids, effectively pumped out amino acids, but it also made a new acid not previously found in nature. The new amino acid, found in a food supplement powder caused some deaths and significant irreversible mental and metabolic damage to hundreds of people. The product was recalled. Like Japan, Australia does not want GMO food. Even hungry African and Asian nations are concerned enough to refuse food containing GMOs. Europeans are also suspicious. In short, GMO foods may be putting our health at risk.
what are wheat- and gluten-free foods?
An estimated 3,000,000 Americans suffer from wheat allergies. Of those, 900,000 people suffer from a severe intolerance to gluten, the sticky protein found in foods containing wheat, rye, barley and oats. This intolerance is a condition known as Celiac Disease. Most people who have Celiac Disease are unaware that they have it because the symptoms often mimic other conditions. In fact, physicians often misdiagnose Celiac as irritable bowel syndrome, food allergies, chronic fatigue, anorexia and malnutrition. Consequently, sufferers can not take advantage of therapeutic dietary changes that can relieve Celiac disease, such as eating wheat- and gluten-free foods.
With these issues in mind, JelenaCooks! works to ensure you have the healthiest, most wholesome foods—and prepares them to suit the most selective appetites!