Non-Toxic Dad News: July 18, 2024

The Truth About Apeel: Is It as Great as It Seems?

Apeel, a new invisible, plant-based coating designed to keep fruits and vegetables from spoiling quickly, is being touted as a breakthrough in reducing food waste and energy costs. While this sounds like a win-win for everyone, I'm not entirely convinced it's as wonderful as it is marketed to be. Here’s why:

• The science is split on the safety of consumption.

• Apeel’s use on fruits and veggies raises concerns about the likelihood of finding truly fresh, harvested, nutrient-dense produce.

• The Apeel coating could trap toxins that won’t rinse off easily.

• Produce with Apeel coating could potentially be older, and we wouldn’t know until it’s too late. This uncertainty might make you feel cautious about the produce you're consuming.

It seems like the search for "fresh" might be on its way out with this coating. Honestly, it doesn’t sound very appealing to my taste buds.

To reduce food waste and lower energy costs, Apeel is a new invisible, plant-based coating that keeps fruits and vegetables from spoiling quickly.[1] While this innovation is being marketed as a groundbreaking solution, I’m not entirely convinced it’s as wonderful as it sounds. Let’s dive into some of the reasons for my skepticism and uncover the truth about Apeel.

Many parents have turned to cassava-based products to provide healthy, gluten-free, organic snacks for their children. However, alarming new research suggests that these seemingly wholesome snacks might be toxic for your kids.

It’s been a while since I’ve canceled something, so let’s start with our trusty cutting board! Specifically, the plastic one – but your wooden board may be unsafe too.

With concerns about coatings like Apeel masking the true freshness and safety of our fruits and vegetables, we must take proactive steps to ensure we get the best quality produce. Here’s your tip of the week:

Shop Local and Get to Know Your Farmers:

• Visit Farmers' Markets: Local farmers' markets are a treasure trove of freshly harvested, nutrient-dense produce. The fruits and vegetables here are often picked at peak ripeness, ensuring maximum flavor and nutritional value.

• Build Relationships: Talk to the farmers at your local market. Learn about their growing practices and ask about the use of pesticides and other chemicals. Knowing the source of your food provides peace of mind and ensures transparency.

• Grow Your Own: Consider starting a home garden if you have the space. Growing your own produce allows you to control every aspect of the growing process, from soil quality to pest control, ensuring your fruits and veggies are as fresh and toxin-free as possible.

By taking these steps, you can avoid the potential pitfalls of produce coatings and ensure that your family enjoys the freshest, healthiest fruits and vegetables available.

Ingredients

For the Shortcakes:

• 4 large pasture-raised eggs, separated

• 1/4 cup monk fruit sweetener

• 1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract

• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Strawberry Filling:

• 2 cups fresh organic strawberries, hulled and sliced (alternatively, you can use other local organic berries such as blueberries or blackberries)

• 2 tablespoons monk fruit sweetener

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

For the Whipped Cream:

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)

• 2 tablespoons monk fruit sweetener

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Prepare the Shortcakes:

   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

   • In a clean mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar and salt until stiff peaks form. Make sure they are very stiff, this can take a bit of time, so be patient.

   • In another bowl, beat the egg yolks, monk fruit sweetener, and vanilla extract until thick and pale.

   • Gently fold the egg yolk mixture into the egg whites, being careful not to deflate the mixture.

   • Spoon the batter onto the prepared baking sheet, forming 8-10 small mounds.

   • Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the shortcakes are golden brown and set. Let them cool on a wire rack.

2. Prepare the Strawberry Filling:

   • In a medium bowl, combine the sliced strawberries, monk fruit sweetener, and lemon juice. Toss to coat evenly and let sit for about 15 minutes to macerate.

3. Prepare the Whipped Cream:

   • In a large mixing bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream (or coconut cream), monk fruit sweetener, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.

4. Assemble the Shortcakes:

   • Once the shortcakes have cooled, slice them in half horizontally.

   • Spoon a generous amount of the strawberry filling onto the bottom half of each shortcake.

   • Add a dollop of whipped cream on top of the strawberries.

   • Place the top half of the shortcake over the whipped cream and strawberries.

Serve immediately and enjoy this light and airy, grain-free, gluten-free, and monk fruit-sweetened summer strawberry shortcake!

Product Spotlight

Hey there! It's that time of year again—Amazon Prime Day, and who doesn't love snagging great deals? But it's not just about saving money; it's about making choices that are better for our families and the planet. That's why I've put together a list of my non-toxic Prime Day picks that you can trust. These are products that we use in our own homes, chosen for their integrity and commitment to a healthier lifestyle. Ready to shop smart and safe?

Thanks for joining us this week. Stay tuned for more tips and insights on maintaining a non-toxic lifestyle. Until next time, keep prioritizing your health and well-being!