To me, there's nothing better than that first sip of coffee in the morning. If you're a coffee lover like me and the 165 million people who consume it daily, you would be shocked to find out that coffee is one of the "dirtiest" crops on the planet today. Since coffee is grown and harvested largely outside of the United States, it's often sprayed with chemicals and pesticides we would consider illegal.
These pesticides are known to have harmful effects in both the short and long term - ranging from headaches and lethargy to Parkinsons and infertility.
But, not to fear - the organic coffee movement is growing, which is better for our bodies and our planet. So, next time you grab a cup of 'jo, check to see if it's been certified by the USDA. Hint: Le Pain Quotidien, Pret a Manger, and many local coffee shops source organic coffee already! At home, we drink Nespresso which only uses certified organic coffee.
Peace, love & EVOO, Katerina
Katerina Mountanos
Olive Oil Sommelier Katerina Mountanos, is the Founder & CEO of Kosterina Olive Oil, which produces 100% organic, extra virgin olive oil from Greece sold directly to consumers online. Katerina is an ecommerce expert and has built beauty, home and wellness businesses for Amazon, Jet, and Walmart. She founded beauty services company, Manicube, which was sold to The Red Door by Elizabeth Arden in 2015. Katerina is very passionate about olive oil, the Mediterranean diet and eating for health and longevity.
We're in the thick of uncertainty during this global pandemic and one thing we can do to spur positive change during this time is to create healthy habits. Although working out is not always at the top of my list, lately, I've been finding that creating time and space to move my body has been extremely helpful for my overall mental well-being.
How are you doing? I've cut myself off from watching CNN because my cortisol levels go through the roof. In the name of mental well-being and stress-reduction, I'd like to share some goodnews about the Coronavirus that you may not be hearing about if you're watching the news. I recently tuned in to The James Altucher Show, featuring Futurist (and fellow Greek) Peter Diamandis, who gave me some new perspective on the chaos that's shaping our world.
I hope that you're staying safe and calm during this unprecedented, scary time. I am praying for the health of our communities here in New York, throughout the US, in Greece, and around the entire world.
