One definition of piquant is “having an agreeably pungent taste”. This week we got two bunches of curly kale in our box from Annie’s Organic Buying Club. I thought, “Oh, Siberian kale, maybe I can find some way of cooking it so it doesn’t taste too bad.”
Many years ago, I grew a row of kale in my Highlands, N.C. garden. Kale happens to grow more lustily and live much longer into the winter than almost all other vegetables. Not knowing any creative ways of preparing it and dutifully trying eat those huge leaves for almost a year, I got very burned out on kale and decided this was a vegetable I didn’t like.
Well, the kale in our box had much smaller, younger leaves than those in my long-ago garden and the tasty recipe I came up with made all the difference. Here’s how I made it:(more…)
When you go to the grocery store, do you buy the cheap store-brand eggs or do you opt for those that say, “Free Range” or “Omega-3″? The latter two cost a dollar or so more, but are well worth it. These eggs are sources of not only the omega-3 essential fatty acids our modern animal products are so low in, but they have significantly more vitamin E and carotenoids (vitamin A precursors) while much less saturated fat and cholesterol.
What’s even a huge jump better are eggs from a local farmer who lets them run outdoors where they can eat their natural diet of green vegetation and bugs. I never liked eggs much until I tasted the ones raised locally - a huge difference. The almost-orange yolks stand so tall and the whites are very firm.
Sometimes you can find them at farmer’s markets. You can also ask around at venues where whole-foods folks frequent - health food stores, co-ops, environmental groups, or even Craig’s List.(more…)
We all know home-grown tastes so much better, but did you know it’s also far more nutritious? I decided to write this article in an effort to inspire people to get out in their yards and prepare at least a few square feet for a garden. A fall garden in Florida is easier and often more rewarding than one planted in spring as you don’t have the heat and insects to contend with while the plants are reaching maturity.
There are so many vegetables that grow well throughout the winter - most of the root vegetables, cabbage family, and all the leafy greens. Additionally, you can harvest a lot of beans if you get the seed planted early.(more…)
Here’s a fast, nutrient packed meal that will give you the fuel you need for a high energy day. The best salmon is red sockeye, whose color comes from the carotenoid astaxanthin. This pigment is a powerful antioxidant that is preventive against cancer and nervous system disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Essential omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D are much in the news lately as they are highly anti-inflammatory and important for disease prevention. Unfortunately, requirements for both can be difficult to meet without supplements. Salmon is the best food source of both these nutrients and eating it 2-3 times a week would provide adequate omega-3’s and vitamin D.(more…)
There are a number of things we can do to reduce risk for breast cancer. These include eating a low-fat, plant-based diet, controlling your weight, choosing complex carbohydrates over simple (refined) ones, being physically active, and avoiding environmental hazards.
Prevent Insulin Resistance
Not controlling your intake of refined sugars, white bread, soft drinks, and fast food can lead to insulin resistance, which is a known contributor to systemic inflammation. Inflammation not only greatly increases risk of type II diabetes and heart disease, but also increases risk of cancer.(more…)
Most Americans drink conventional, non-organic milk from cows that have been treated with artificial growth hormone, but this has been changing in the last couple of years. Now WalMart is the latest in a string of large retailers to recognize consumer demand for milk from cows not treated with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH). On March 21st, the retail giant announced that its own store brand milk, Great Value, is now free of this hazardous growth hormone.
Everyone but the FDA
An increasing number of retailers are refusing to carry rBGH milk. These include the Safeway and Kroger grocery store chains as well as Starbucks. Additionally, accumulating scientific evidence has been enough for other governments to prohibit the use of rBGH, including Canada, the European Union, Japan, and others.(more…)
Over the past 10 years, retail sales in organic foods have grown 20 percent or more each year. Organic food and beverage sales topped $15 billion in 2004 and they are projected to more than double by 2009.
Organically grown foods are becoming more popular as people are concerned about their health and the safety of food produced by modern agriculture. The USDA defines organic foods:
Organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides, fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge, bioengineering or ionizing radiation.(more…)
Not necessarily. Meat, eggs and dairy products are all excellent sources of protein as well as many other nutrients. What is most recommended is eating a diet that is high in whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes (very high in fiber and antioxidants), and low-fat dairy products. A few eggs a week plus a few servings of lean meat and fish adds interest and variety as well as good nutrition.
Modern Livestock Practices Damage Nutritional Value
It is definitely best to buy only organic meat, poultry, and eggs though. (more…)
When you go to the grocery store, do you buy the cheap store-brand eggs or do you opt for those that say, “Free Range” or “Omega-3″? The latter two cost a dollar or so more, but are well worth it. These eggs are sources of not only the omega-3 essential fatty acids our modern animal products are so low in, but they have significantly more vitamin E and carotenoids (vitamin A precursors) while much less saturated fat and cholesterol.
We all know home-grown tastes so much better, but did you know it’s also far more nutritious? I decided to write this article in an effort to inspire people to get out in their yards and prepare at least a few square feet for a garden. A fall garden in Florida is easier and often more rewarding than one planted in spring as you don’t have the heat and insects to contend with while the plants are reaching maturity.
Here’s a fast, nutrient packed meal that will give you the fuel you need for a high energy day. The best salmon is red sockeye, whose color comes from the carotenoid astaxanthin. This pigment is a powerful antioxidant that is preventive against cancer and nervous system disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
There are a number of things we can do to reduce risk for breast cancer. These include eating a low-fat, plant-based diet, controlling your weight, choosing complex carbohydrates over simple (refined) ones, being physically active, and avoiding environmental hazards.
Most Americans drink conventional, non-organic milk from cows that have been treated with artificial growth hormone, but this has been changing in the last couple of years. Now WalMart is the latest in a string of large retailers to recognize consumer demand for milk from cows not treated with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH). On March 21st, the retail giant announced that its own store brand milk, Great Value, is now free of this hazardous growth hormone. 
Over the past 10 years, retail sales in organic foods have grown 20 percent or more each year. Organic food and beverage sales topped $15 billion in 2004 and they are projected to more than double by 2009.
Not necessarily. Meat, eggs and dairy products are all excellent sources of protein as well as many other nutrients. What is most recommended is eating a diet that is high in whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes (very high in fiber and antioxidants), and low-fat dairy products. A few eggs a week plus a few servings of lean meat and fish adds interest and variety as well as good nutrition.
