Elizabeth Walling is in my kitchen today, talking about her favorite machine for slicing and dicing, a refreshing and replenishing drink, and a news story that is on her mind.
Elizabeth is an independent health researcher and freelance writer. She writes the blog The Nourished Life for others who are also interested in improving their health and well-being the natural way.
Why is living organic important to you?
For me, it’s all about returning to the traditional way of eating. Our ancestors didn’t suffer from the epidemic of disease we’re experiencing today. I believe this has a great deal to do with the quality of food we eat. The amount of chemicals in our food today is incredible. And the amount of processing the food goes through can destroy all of its nutritional worth. It’s no wonder our bodies are so susceptible to illness, mood disorders, and degenerative disease. I believe that choosing food that is organic and in its whole form is an important part of regaining our ability to be healthy.
What was your favorite food growing up?
Cheese! And anything with cheese in it (or on it). I still love cheese, and it’s more important to me than ever that the cheese I use is organic and grass-fed. No cheese out of a can around here.
What’s your go-to comfort food now?
I have a few, but raw milk from a small local farm tops my list. One glass can kill almost any junk-food craving I have, and my health is noticeably improved when I’m drinking raw milk. But I also love my chocolate, so I often make my own fudge at home with coconut oil, organic cocoa, and raw honey.
What’s the one thing in your kitchen you just couldn’t live without?
Right now I’m using my Cuisinart food processor every day (often several times a day!) for everything from dicing veggies to shredding cheese and making hash brown potatoes. I love anything that makes preparing healthy, real food convenient. The more convenient something is, the more likely you’ll implement it, so getting real food to be convenient can make all the difference.
What magazine, website, book, album, or product are you most obsessed with right now?
I love coconut water and try to have some every day. It’s naturally full of electrolytes, and I find it hydrates me much better than just plain water. It tastes amazing with a little fresh-squeezed lime juice.
What’s the most important news story today that you think we all need to pay more attention to?
We need to pay attention to food laws like the S 510 bill. It’s important to decide whether these food-safety regulations are helping or hurting. What sound like simple safety measures on the surface could end up shutting small local farmers out of the food business. Sometimes the most nutritious food is found on local family farms. Shutting them down would be a grave mistake if we want to continue having the freedom to choose the best-quality food.
Where do you get your news?
I try to stay away from the news! I like staying up to date with current events, especially those that involve health and nutrition, but I prefer not to let news bombard me at every turn. I find that news that interests me will eventually find its way into my email inbox or Facebook page, or someone will tell me over the phone. So in the end, I don’t have to actively seek news updates much at all.
She makes her own fudge…with coconut milk, organic cocoa & honey? Sounds delicious….please send me the recipe!!!
I agree with Mary–I’d love to have the recipe, too!