Article in the New York Times on a GMO corn

Via No GMO's website "The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a new type of corn that was genetically engineered to make ethanol conversion easier. The food industry fears

 that if this new corn, called Enogen, cross-pollinated with corn used for food, it could have a

 significant impact on food quality."

Click Here for link:U.S. Approves Corn Modified for Ethanol

Walmart banning PBDE's in their products!

Article link is here:

Wal-Mart bypasses federal regulators to ban controversial flame retardant

I am usually not a huge fan of Wal Mart but this is wonderful! I might have to buy my next sofa from them!

Tips for Raising Chickens Organically

 So our chicken total is currently a grade total of 8. I have debated getting 3 more...better build the coop first though! We currently have 3 Black Australorps, 2 Golden Sexlinks and 3 New Hampshire reds. I love them! They already get excited when I go in to feed them, they are tamer when I hold them now, content to perch on my palm or finger. Today I am on the hunt for a larger dishwasher size box to contain them all (one got out this morning and was wandering around the bathroom floor.)

 Olivia loves to look at the chicks. She takes her little finger and strokes their head. I have to watch this closely as she is a baby and I don't want her crushing or squeezing them!

 Tips for organic raising that I have gleaned so far:

• Since the feed I am using is antibiotic free I am adding a clove of garlic and a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to their drinking water every time I change the water (which is 3-4 times per day while they are in such close quarters)
• I have added natural branches for perches to encourage roosting. They ate the little bugs that came in on the branches!
• I put greens in with their food to encourage foraging that they will do when they are wandering around my backyard
• This afternoon when it warms up I am taking them outside to let them explore...two at a time. I will take pictures and let you know how it goes!

Tips I have read but not tried:

• Once or twice a week add oil of oregano and thyme to the water for their antiviral and anti fungal properties.

(I am buying some today so I can do this)

 Wesley is intrigued. He licks the chicks if I hold them close to him...I think he thinks they are squeaky toys. Little does he know they will soon be bigger than him.

Full Circle Produce Box

For all my "local" blog readers I thought I would share this deal through full circle. You can cancel after your first box but it is a great way to try their produce which I LOVE.
A standard size box is 32 dollars. So with 15 dollars off that is 17 dollars. A great deal for all the produce you will get. Here is a link to their page.

Refer a friend by March 1st for a $15 credit!

Be an ambassador of the good food life! Refer a friend to our Farm-to-Table box program by March 1st, 2011 and you’ll get a $15 credit to your account. Plus, you can give your friends $15 off their first box. Follow these easy steps: 1. Tell your friends and co-workers about Full Circle's benefits. 2. Let them know you can get them $15 off their first box. 3. Have them use promo code EATHEALTHY and enter Jessica Kaloger in the 'how did you hear about us' field when they sign-up.(You'll receive a $15 credit to your account for every new member that you sign up.) It’s that easy!  If they sign-up prior to March 1st, 2011 following the steps above, the credit will be automatically added to your account. Each new referral gets you another $15 credit.  So share the health of good food and help us change the food system — one box at a time. Thank you from your Full Circle team.

Nutiva Organic Coconut Oil on Sale!!!

A friend of mine told me about this today. It is a fantastic deal on Amazon. Buy a pack of 2 Nutiva 15 ounce tubs of organic extra virgin coconut oil with subscribe and save for $11.51. That is only a little over five dollars each! If you were to go to the co op or local Fred Meyer one jar would cost you 15 dollars! An even greater deal is the pack of two 54 ounce jars of Nutiva extra virgin coconut oil for $33.79 with subscribe and save. That is only around 17 dollars for 54 ounces! Check it out today!
Remember you can cancel a subscribe and save anytime you like.

Daily Deal Sites: Pure Citizen

There are a plethora of daily deal sites out there. Recently I have stumbled across one that I love!. It is called Pure Citizen. They sell items that are "organic, fair trade, sustainable, recycled, bio dynamic, natural, handmade...". Just a sampling of some of todays deals are a recycled glass pitcher for 7 dollars, recycled glass tumblers, envirosax (reusable grocery bags), and stainless steel reusable lunch ware. Check it out you just might find something!

photo credit

Chickens have arrived!

 The accountant and I went to get the first of our chickens today! I was so excited I could barely contain myself. The people down at the co-op were super friendly and helpful. I came home with three New Hampshire Reds. Everything I read says they are large birds (7-8 pounds), they lay about an egg a day each, very friendly, strong and feather out quickly. If you want they are good for meat too. I am not sure about that part so we are sticking to eggs for now.

 This little girl is my favorite, and I think the alpha. She already comes to my hand and the other two follow her around. She looks like a Gertrude to me...

 The little one in this picture is fiesty for her size, my little yorkie is already scared of her. I am naming the little one Ophelia.

 The third one is Phyllis.

I love listening to them chirp. I am excited for them to feather out and then live out in their coop in our soon to be newly fenced backyard! I look forward to sharing their progress with you.

Taking Care of Two and Beet nutrition

Hello all! So in case you all wondered why I haven't been blogging as much. ( I can only hope you miss me). #1 Reason is my mouse is broken and I am waiting to receive my new one in the mail. Using a desktop with just the keyboard and the tab button is WAY more difficult than I like. The accountant turned his cell phone into a remote but I only have it at night when he is home. So not so much blogging. The other reason I have not been blogging as much is I have been babysitting a friends little boy. I thought one kept me busy. I had NO idea how busy two would keep me! It's funny. They occupy each other but they also get into more trouble, so this necessitates a very close eye. So, no Internet surfing for information without the mouse, and not a whole lot of time outside of keeping the house presentable (sort of) and cooking for the accountant ( I de-stress by cooking, lucky man!).
I do want to share a tidbit of information that I learned to day in my perusal of the local co-op newsletter. It's a little nutrition information on one of my favorite vegetables. Hint this veggie turns your poo red.
Beets!
Beets are full of vitamin A, B1, B2, B6 and C. They also contain calcium, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, sodium and iron. They are a great source of choline which is needed for your brain and that of a growing baby whether in or out of the womb.
One way I like to enjoy beets is cooked and tossed with olive oil, ground black pepper, dill and lemon juice. (I used to add feta cheese before I knew I was allergic to casein, if you are not allergic I highly recommend adding it in too!)
I love to buy beets, cook them and add them to my tossed green salad. (I am one of those strange people that craves salads) Juicing beets raw will give you even more health benefits than eating them cooked or try grating them with your cheese grater and putting them on your raw salad.
A few specific health benefits of beets, eaten in large quantity or part of a healthy diet are:
Choline detoxifies the liver
Helps with the healing process of a gastric ulcer
Helps alleviate gout
Helps keep arteries and veins elastic
Contains betaine an amino acid that has anti cancer properties. Protective against colon and stomach cancer
They are alkaline so helps combat acidosis in the body
Combat atherosclerosis
The iron in beets regenerates and activates blood cells fighting anemia.

So eat your beets!

Newly Identified Endocrine Disruptors in Food Packaging. Article Link

Article on Endocrine disruptor's in packaging. There is some basic important information I think everyone should know in this article. Please read it!

Skirt Steak with Red Chili Stir Fry

Computers can be so frustrating! I have spent the last three days without the use of my keyboard or mouse. At first I felt very lost. I had so many things I wanted to do online but didn't have the ability close by. Not to mention so many ideas to post on this blog and no way to do it! Tonight my lovely accountant husband figured out how to use his android phone as a mouse and keyboard. Way to go honey!

So here is a quick blog on a delicious dinner we had the other night. So simple and quick to make. I highly recommend it. It is a very versatile dish. You can substitute any veggies you have for what I used. The meat is interchangeable too.

Just had to throw this picture in. I have daffodils growing in with my basil!

 This whole meal is cooked on the stove top.
Ingredients:
Grass fed skirt steak for 2-4 people (note you could also use chicken), marinate in coffee for 2-24 hours
Buckwheat Soba noodles
2 Tablespoons of organic extra virgin coconut oil
2 cups of cooked organic black beans ( I use dried beans that I cook myself and freeze)
Veggies of your choice. I used all organic as follows:
2 carrots, thinly sliced
2 zucchini, thinly sliced
1 yellow onion
2 Roma tomatoes
3 cups of organic green beans, frozen
3 cups of broccoli florets
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 a can of organic coconut milk
4-6 Tablespoons of Thai Kitchen Spicy Red Chili Sauce

Directions:
In a naturally non-stick pan (cast iron is what I use) cook your marinated meat until done. My skirt steak cooked for about 5 minutes each side, add salt and pepper to taste.

 Meanwhile in another pan place 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and one yellow onion. Brown the onion  then add remaining veggies, coconut milk, black beans, Thai spicy sauce and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer on stove top until veggies are soft.

While veggies are cooking. Boil SOBA noodles according to directions on package.

 Olivia occupying herself in the kitchen.

Place the soba noodles on the plate first then top with skirt steak and veggies. Serve. This dish is slightly spicy but Oh so good!

Menu Plan for the week of Feb 14 2011

Image via WikipediaSome weeks I love planning out the menu. Others it is just more work than I want to do. I have found I make much better use of my food when I take the time to quickly look through my pantry, fridge and freezer and decide what to cook for the week. Here is what I came up with for this week!

Monday Feb 14, 2011
Happy Valentines Day!
Breakfast: Oatmeal with almonds, raisins and coconut flakes
Lunch: Chicken Salad  with apple cider dressing (Olivia will eat anything including this. She loves the dressing)
Dinner: Steak, potatoes and mushrooms

Tuesday Feb 15 2011
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with mushrooms and zuccinni
Lunch: Chicken Salad Sandwiches with Salad
Dinner: Stuffed Green Peppers and Rice

To do: Soak the oats!

Wednesday Feb 16, 2011
Breakfast: Oatmeal again ( I am going to try soaking it, which I have never done. This will be an adventure!)
Lunch:  Cucumber and hummus sandwiches
Dinner: Chicken Soup

Thursday Feb 17th, 2011
Breakfast: Mexican egg wraps
Lunch: Left over chicken soup
Dinner: Pot roast

Friday Feb 18th, 2011
Breakfast:  Quinoa porridge
Lunch: Black bean and corn salad
Dinner:  Taco Salad with shredded beef from pot roast

Eggs appear to have been heavy on my mind for breakfast this week. They are so good for you and so cheap at the same time. Well cheap is a relative word. I pay extra for organic pasture fed. But still cheap compared to grass fed beef! I am ordering pasture raised lamb this week, which I am excited about. I have never done that much with lamb...

Eggs they really are good for you!

Image via WikipediaFor years the mainstream media would have us believe that eggs were something to be avoided. I mean they are high in cholesterol right? On the contrary eggs are one of the healthier things you can eat for breakfast according to a Harvard School of Public Health study. The study found there is no link between "moderate egg consumption and heart disease". In fact regular consumption of eggs may help prevent blood clots, stroke and heart attacks. So unless you have an egg allergy if you have any "egg beaters" or other fake or substitute eggs throw them out! The substitute is probably worse for you than the real thing. In fact eggs are chok full of choline , 251 milligrams half the daily recommended value for women, a B vitamin that is very much needed for brain and heart health. It is also vital in the development of babies in the womb, it affects their brain and memory function. Eggs are full of Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin D and Vitamin B12.  They are only about 70 calories per egg and have all nine essential amino acids. They contain the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin which are vital for eye health.
Shell color makes no difference, the shell color is affected by the hen. My personal favorites are green eggs which I buy up the street. Of course to get the most bang for your buck buy the organic, pasture raised or certified humane eggs!

Source: Natural Health magazine March 2011

Vegan Almond and Oats Thumbprint Cookies

My daughter walking like a zombie...she runs around the house, arms high, laughing or moaning. Last night she chased the accountant around in circles!

These cookies are delicious. They make great gifts tied up in brown paper with a cute little gift tag. You can make them gluten free or not by substituting the regular flour for a equal part gluten free arrowhead mix brand. (It seems to work the best I have found, sold at Fred Meyers).

Ingredients: 4 cups of organic almonds
4 cups of organic rolled oats
4 cups of organic whole wheat pastry flour or gluten free mix
2 cups of organic extra virgin coconut oil, melted
2 cups of organic maple syrup
1 teaspoon of sea salt
Jam of your choice. I prefer berry jams like raspberry or strawberry in this cookie

Directions:

Preheat oven to 340 degrees. In a food processor pulse oats and almonds until coarsley ground ( I had to do it in batches since mine is so small). Transfer to a large bowl.

Add together in the large bowl flour, coconut oil, maple syrup and salt.

When combined roll into tablspoon size balls and place on cookie sheet. Make an indent with your thumb and place jam in the middle.

Place in oven and bake for17-20 minutes or until golden brown and just firm around the edges. Adapted from original recipe found on the whole foods website.

"Mommy I am waiting for one!" This isn't her sippy cup she borrowed it from her friend Preston.