How to avoid a 'recipe for disaster'

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Meet Dr. Kevin and Michelle Keyes, who keep their family healthy and full of life by maintaining an organic, non-GMO lifestyle. They have two spirited children, Carson who is nine and seven-year-old Isabella. At three years old, Carson was diagnosed with cancer. Now, six years later and cancer free, the whole Keyes family is stronger than ever.

Carson, at the age of three, was having some severe sinus issues and was scheduled to have surgery, doctors then decided to put tubes in his ears. Shortly after his surgery he was diagnosed with cancer. “What inspired me to begin a different path after completing treatment [was] finding out it may come back...We began with baby steps by changing our flours, sugars, salts, and oils to versions that were not refined or processed,” said Michelle Keyes. Little changes in your daily life can make a big difference.

“Our oncologist told us that if we consume a lot of something, it was a good idea to buy organic,” said Michelle. The Keyes family took it to another level and began researching contamination levels of certain foods to help determine if they would purchase those items as organic. They looked into GMO products and were not satisfied with what they were consuming. Now, years later, the Keyes family gets their meat and milk products from a farm in Fayetteville, they get local produce and also shop at HEB in the organic sections. It’s more work, but in the end eating better is more rewarding.

So what is a GMO?

A GMO (genetically modified organism) is the result of a process where genes are taken from one species and inserted into another in an effort to achieve a desirable trait or characteristic. This is also referred to as Genetic Engineering (GE) or Genetic Modification (GM). With genetic engineering, scientists are breaching species barriers set up by the natural world. Scientists are using viruses or bacteria to “infect” animal or plant cells with new DNA.

Genetically modified foods could eventually make the general public resistant to antibiotics. According to mercola.com,“Some scientists believe that eating GE food containing these marker genes could encourage gut bacteria to develop antibiotic resistance."

Michelle lists the top seven GMO crops; corn, soy, cottonseed, alfalfa, papaya, canola, and sugar beets.

Michelle and Kevin put effort into teaching their children the values of living a healthy lifestyle. They live by five essentials; eat well, think well, move well, stimulate the nervous system, and eliminate toxins. “Think about the whole picture,” said Michelle. All you have to do is read the label and know what to look for. It’s all about eating healthy ingredients and giving your body the right nutrients. “In the end if you put the wrong fuel in your body it will cost you,” she said.

For the basics on a non-GMO lifestyle visit www.nongmoshoppingguide.com and see how you can get started with a healthier lifestyle. Remember that improving your health is doable and in the end, it’s worth the hard work.

To get you started Michelle offers some tips on how to eat better:

· After buying vegetables from the grocery store or local produce stands, cut them up and put them in bowls so they are ready to eat.

· If you are a regular soda consumer, try adding fresh squeezed lemon and lime to sparkling water.

· Take a few hours one day out of the week to prepare your meals for the week. Get your marinades and any vegetables prepared for your meals.

Carson will be cancer free for six years this coming September and he feels better than ever. Michelle asks Carson “What do you know about GMO’s” and Carson responds “I know they are not good for you."

The Keyes family has come a long way in six years and they could not be happier with their lifestyle. They firmly believe in eating healthy ingredients. Michelle is currently putting together a cookbook/lifestyle guide for the public. So avoid the "recipe for disaster" and freshen up your perspective on food.