DEAR THYROID^TM

Stopping by my local farmer’s market is now a weekly ritual for me.   This isn’t just because I want to support my local economy and farmers (people who care about healthy food and are invested in the health of the community); I shop my farmer’s market (FM) mostly for selfish reasons, which includes cheap and organic produce (because, yes, those two things can co-exist).   Also, the variety of organic produce at the FM far exceeds the selection at my local grocery stores (both health food stores, and/or other big chain supermarkets).   In other words, they sell veggies that I simply cannot find anywhere else.

This week, everything seemed to be in season. I brought home five large eggplant, two quarts cherry tomatoes, one quart green beans, three giant zucchini (when I say “giant”, I mean the size of my forearm), three giant yellow crookneck squash, one bunch celery, one bunch dill, one bunch scallions, two red cabbage (yes, goitrogenic), one quart rainbow radish (yes, goitrogenic, don’t hate me), one bunch red radish (yes, again, goitrogenic), and two quarts cucumber.   In other words, that’s a whole hell of alotta food, which I try to make the bulk of my diet — fresh, organic veggies.   These veggies topped with a good fat for optimum vitamin absorption and for satiety make for the most delicious meal (also remember that fat is required for proper endocrine function and slathering food in healthy fats like coconut*, avocado*, nut and seeds or their oils, olive, and one of my favorites — hemp — makes for a thyroid-friendly and happy-endocrine-system meal).   Lately I’ve been playing around with hemp seed dressings in the blender, after being treated to a fabulous recipe from a local raw foods chef.   I’ve also been experimenting with fried spring rolls — fresh or cooked veg rolled in rice paper wrappers and fried in coconut oil. (*Note that coconut and avocado are thyroid-stimulating, which is good for some, not good for others, depending on your thyroid disease and condition).

The best part about shopping farmer’s markets is that, because I’m buying direct-from-farmer, this produce is relatively inexpensive.   Health food store produce could never match the prices or the freshness.   For those of you interested in buying farm-fresh produce that is local and organic, but haven’t been able to locate any farm stands or farmer’s markets near you, consider utilizing Local Harvest.   Local Harvest is a website dedicated to connecting consumers with local, organic, and artisanal food in their area.   In addition to produce, the site will also locate nearby farms for eggs, dairy, meat, and specialty goods like nuts, teas, and fruit.

Remember that buying organic as much as possible will benefit your thyroid because conventional (non-organic) fruits and veggies are covered in endocrine-disrupting chemicals, some of which happen to also be carcinogens. Which leads me into my Chemical-Free-Life Challenge from two weeks ago! How did we all fare? I managed to do okay and stay chemical-free while traveling, save the hotel shampoo. Any good stories of chemical-free living or inspiration for us? Tell us how you did! Let’s keep the natural, chemical-free living challenge going!

Until Next Week,
Love Always,
Liz

If you have emailed me within the last few weeks and I haven’t responded, please re-send!; I’ve been having email troubles and many emails have not come through! Email me at Liz@DearThyroid.ORG and Liz@DearThyroid.COM — both are now valid accounts.

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Tags: carcinogens, How To Kick Your Thyroid's Ass, hyperthyroid nutritional tips, hypothyroid health foods, Liz Schau thyroid nutrition writer, non organic fruits and veggies endocrine-disrupting chemicals, organic affordable foods, organic thyroid, thyroid nutrition, thyroid nutritional resources

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