How to Live in The World and Still Be Healthy

Drill Baby, Drill...Good Bye Alaskan Wilderness

2008-09-08T16:07:00.000-07:00

After listening to the Republican President and Vice President hopefuls I feel like I've stepped back in time and I'm in high school again. Call me naive, but hearing the jeering from the crowd along with the mocking and deliberate insults from the candidates struck me with surprise that grown adults actually carry on this way.
What's really going on here is a distraction. John McCain has proven himself to be a cunning individual by choosing Sarah Palin as his running mate. He's taken the focus from Barrack Obama by picking a woman for nothing more than his own gain. This is not a sexist view, just an observation of the blatant truth. He found the best way to shake up America and gain popularity in the poles at the same time.
And America has fallen for it, hook, line and sinker. His impulsiveness in choosing an inexperienced running mate posses serious questions in his ability to make the important decisions necessary to run this country. But who is recognizing the obvious? To a lot of Americans, this is better than a night in front of the television watching "Dancing With the Stars". We've become obsessed with a Vice Presidential candidate based on appearance and family drama not on the ability to handle world situations. How typically shallow of us.
Let me refer an excellent article written by Katha Pollitt with intelligent and witty commentary on the craze surrounding Vice Presidential nominee, Sarah Polin. Please refer to: http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080929/pollitt
Several residents from Alaska have offered their insight as to just who Sarah Palin really is. You can read their letters and maybe become better acquainted with her politics, (depending on which letter you believe) by going to this link provided by Snopes.com.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/kilkenny.asp
And what will these two individuals do for our country? Well, for starters, they've promised us more oil to the tune of "Drill Baby, Drill". This certainly is not change but feeding the same old addiction that will keep us dependent for a long time to come. I am sure that every Saudi, Russian and Venezuelan who heard that chant was, and still is, grinning from ear to ear. Just what planet do these people think they live on, Planet Looney Tunes? How can they possibly think that continual raping of the land is the answer?
And just what is "clean coal"? As a child we had a coal furnace in the basement of our house and one of my chores was to sweep the basement floor. I remember the mound of black soot that filled my dust pan. A hauntingly and beautifully written book about the tragic effects of the coal boom in West Virgina titled, "Strange as this Weather has Been", by Ann Pancake, paints a picture that is anything but clean.

Even though the price of gasoline has dwindled, (gee, what a coincidence!) expect another rise again after the election. If you think $4.00 per gallon is a hefty price to pay, the loss of the Alaskan Wilderness is a much higher fee.
What does all of this have to do with nutrition? Again, I repeat, the health of the people is tied to the health of the land.

Alaska has been called America's Last Frontier

Meet Ibtissame Boudiba

2008-08-18T08:51:00.000-07:00

People come and people go. Some are in our lives for a long time, (parents, siblings, girlfriends). Some not so long, (teachers, boyfriends, husbands). We learn something from each and every one of them no matter how long or short our shared space on the planet becomes. And some give more to us then others as we also give more or less depending on the deepness of our connection.
Ibtissame came into my home for three days from her home in Brussels and brought such light and goodness that touched me as if I had known her my entire life. Funny how that can happen. Maybe the time was right and I was simply having my need for a friend fulfilled. We talked, we laughed, we ate together and enjoyed each others company with the excitement that comes when opening a beautifully wrapped present.
And then, as quickly as she came, she was gone, off to new adventures. She left behind a memory that brings a smile to my face and a joyful feeling in my heart. I was richer to have had the pleasure of being graced by her presence if only for a short while.
Life is always giving you gifts, you just must know how to open them.

There comes a point in your life when you realize who really matters, who never did, and who always will.

- Unknown

A Girl, A Funnel, and Some Gas

2008-07-30T16:50:00.001-07:00

Gas. It's on everybody's mind. I love to walk as much as possible but there are days when I've got to get into the gas guzzler and drive. My MPG hasn't been great and it seems that every time I fill up the tank, well it's time to fill it up again. So, I came across this website SmartGas.net and the guy seems to know what he's talking about. At least he's convinced me.
I want to share the information with everyone and anyone that will listen, the gas station attendant, the cashier at Sally's Beauty Supply, and now all of you.
It involves going to a beauty supply store, namely Sally's. They're everywhere so you shouldn't have any problems finding one. You'll want to buy PURE ACETONE. I bought a gallon for $16.99. Then I went to good old Freddy Meyer's and bought a four ounce shot glass and a fashionable, long neck, blue funnel. Came home, opened the gas cap, and bravely poured three ounces of the Acetone into my tank which was just filled with ten gallons of gasoline from a BP Gas Station (they carry gas with ten percent ethanol).
This is what I call sticking it to the man. Now I'm hoping to achieve the results that are claimed on the website which are better gas mileage!
Please be careful as I would not want to see anything bad happen like explosions or fire since those things always come to mind when I unscrew my gas cap and attempt to mix unknown substances. This is probably due to left over childhood memories from much motherly advice.
READ THIS LINK CAREFULLY! For some of the suggestions you will most likely need your mechanic or a man with a tool belt...good luck with the man, your mechanic is probably a better bet! Or hey, maybe you are a man and this is second nature. Or maybe you're a woman and this is a piece of cake. I, on the other hand, became less enthused by the time I made it to suggestion number two!

http://www.brightgreen.us/lubedev/smartgas/ultra5.htm
please copy and paste this link...

Pump it up until you can feel it.
Pump it up when you don't really need it.
Elvis Costello

Three Reasons Why

2008-07-16T18:41:00.000-07:00

Three reasons why I drove two and a half hours today...

1) The goats love me

2) Truly free range chickens

3) Real Milk

This trek has been a requirement of my commitment to a raw milk/real foodie co-op. Every week one of us makes the long drive south on Route 5 amongst the 18 wheelers to our little farm in Yamhill. We load up the car with kids, sometimes with friends, and always with the coffin size cooler, anticipating the creamy raw milk, free range chickens, kefir, fresh yoqurt, even kombucha that we'll be bringing back to the drop off location on a member's front porch in the heart of Portland.
Sometimes we stay and breath in the clean country air while mingling with the farm animals. If our farmers aren't terribly busy (HA!) there's pleasant conversation to be had as well.
What a nice break from city life. My imagination takes me to another place and time when life was hard but simple, when fires burned in the hearth, and home made meals were served from the bounty of the farm yard. Now we live in a microwave society of packaged & processed oddities that remotely resemble food. But our souls still feel hunger...
Thank you small farms everywhere for helping to satiate these tribal appetites. It's about more than just good food. Your commitment to humanly raising livestock and producing quality food for our tables is appreciated by a small and loyal following that seems to be growing in size each and every day.
Support your local farmer's market or just take a drive on out to the farm!
Know Thy Food...

I had rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world. ~George Washington

My Little House on the Prairie!?

2008-07-15T21:34:00.000-07:00

Well, not exactly but good enough! Tonight in North Portland, parked on a small vacant lot, rested Jay Shafer's 100 square foot house on it's way back home to Sebastopol from a Northwest tour. I noticed the orderly crowd that had formed before I spotted what first appeared to be a glorified outhouse. I was struck by a brief but very vivid flashback of childhood visits to Grammy's farm. As I walked closer and the miniature structure came into full view, I was in awe at finally seeing the house I've been dreaming of.
I took my place among the curious, waited patiently, and finally was able to step inside a Tumbleweed House. About eight of us at a time were led on a short but ever so sweet tour by our gracious host, Jay.
Everything one needs was within a stone's throw (literally) of the front door. First was the cozy living room, straight ahead the even cozier kitchen, left face to the coziest bathroom, and up above was the convenient sleeping loft.
I've been drawn to these humble, little abodes ever since I googled two simple words "small house" and found that much to my surprise, there's an entire community who refer to themselves as, get this, "The Small House Society"!
I don't personally know anyone besides myself who aspires to live in a home that would fit inside of some people's bathrooms, but from the size of the crowd that showed up, it was obvious there were others walking in my dream. Comforting to know so many are contemplating ways to lessen their footprint on mother earth.
A small piece of land, some ducks, a cow, throw a tiny house into the mix, and I'm one happy camper.

www.tumbleweedhouses.com

One's home is like a delicious piece of pie you order in a restaurant on a country road one cozy evening - the best piece of pie you have ever eaten in your life - and can never find again. After you leave home, you may find yourself feeling homesick, even if you have a new home that has nicer wallpaper and a more efficient dishwasher than the home in which you grew up. ~Lemony Snicket

Come on Kids, Let's Make Kombucha!

2008-07-08T17:02:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, I've been telling you to stay away from sugar and then I plaster a photo of it and encourage you to use it to make some weird tonic called kombucha.
The kombucha "mushroom" is actually a symbiotic colony of yeast and bacteria which acts on sugar and tea to produce not only acetic and lactic acid but also small amounts of a potent detoxifying substance, glucuronic acid.
Glucuronic acid is produced by the liver in sufficient qualities to neutralize toxins in the body. When liver function becomes overloaded additional glucuronic acid taken in the form of kombucha is said to be a powerful aid to the body's natural cleansing process and a boost to the immune system.
When making kombucha be sure to use clean materials, do not cut the mushroom with metal, and brew away from odors, fruit and flowers.
Enjoy this refreshing beverage every day. It sure beats Kool Aid.
A word of caution: Some individuals may have an allergic reaction to kombucha. Try a little at first to note any adverse effects.

KOMBUCHA
Makes about 3 quarts

3 quarts filtered water
1 cup sugar
4 tea bags of organic black tea
1/2 cup kombucha from a previous culture
1 kombucha mushroom*

Bring 3 quarts filtered water to boil
Add sugar and simmer until dissolved
Remove from heat and add the tea bags allowing to steep until water has cooled completely
Remove tea bags
Pour cooled liquid into a 4-quart pyrex container and add 1/2 cup kombucha from previous batch placing the mushroom on top

Cover loosely with cheesecloth or dishtowel and transfer to a warm, dark place.
In about 7 to 10 days the kombucha will be ready depending on the temperature.
It should taste fizzy with no taste of tea remaining. When your kombucha is ready, your mushroom will have grown a second spongy pancake. This can be used to make more batches or given away to friends. Store fresh mushrooms in the refrigerator in a glass or stainless steel container--never plastic.
Transfer to covered glass containers and store in the refrigerator.

CHEERS!
*Sources for Kombucha Mushroom: Laurel Farms (941) 351-2233; G.E.M. Cultures (707)964-2922: A.F. Kombucha (877) 566-2824, kombucha2000.com
Or you can shoot me an e-mail. I always have a few 'babies' waiting to be adopted.

Health nuts are going to feel stupid one day, lying around in hospitals dying of nothing.
~Redd Fox

The Dirty Dozen, Yet Another Reason To Go Organic

2008-07-07T09:49:00.000-07:00

The Environmental Working Group,(EWG), a nonprofit environmental research organization based in Washington, DC, developed this list of twelve foods high in pesticides to help consumers lower their exposure.

The Dirty Dozen - 12 Most Contaminated Fruits and Vegetables:

Food Pesticide Load
Peaches 100
(highest)
Apples 89
Sweet Bell Peppers 86
Celery 85
Nectarines 84
Strawberries 82
Cherries 75
Pears 65
Grapes (imported) 65
Spinach 60
Lettuce 59
Potatoes 58

EWG also developed a list of the 12 Least Contaminated Fruits and Vegetables:

Food Pesticide Load
Onions 1
(lowest)
Avocados 1
Pineapples 7
Mango 9
Asparagus 11
Sweet Peas 11
Kiwi 14
Bananas 16
Cabbage 17
Broccoli 18
Papaya 21

And while we're doing the math...
Are you confused about what the numbers mean on the little stickers attached to individual fruits and vegetables? The PLU (Price look up) codes on produce stickers are used primarily to speed up the checkout process, but also to inform the consumer about what they are buying. The stickers may contain four or five digit codes.
The produce industry's trade group, The Produce Marketing Association, developed the numeric system to facilitate food identification and source of origin, as well as speed up the checkout process. For the consumer, the important thing to remember is that labels beginning with "9" mean organic, labels beginning with "4" or "3" indicate conventional, and labels beginning with "8" indicate genetically engineered fruits and vegetables.
So, now you know.

If organic farming is the natural way, shouldn't organic produce just be called "produce" and make the pesticide-laden stuff take the burden of an adjective? ~Ymber Delecto

Scored Some Sod!

2008-06-30T10:00:00.001-07:00

It's a gorgeous Sunday morning in Portland and I'm headed over to New Season's to do a little food shopping when I pass by a FREE sign attached to a mound of green, earthy sod. I couldn't resist the lure of my favorite word.
Whoa, Nelly! I swerve to the side of the curb, throw open the back of the Volvo and begin to load 'er up. Boy, this stuff is heavier than I thought it would be and after about nine clumps, (for lack of better sod terminology) I figure I've got plenty and leave the rest for some other fortunate soul.
Lately I've been fantasizing about planting an urban garden on every inch of soil that lies within my property line but this greenery needs a home and I decide it will fit nicely into a small corner of my backyard. With shovel in hand, I begin my first landscaping project. Three hours and several blisters later I've succeeded in removing most of the weeds from a very small and insignificant area of ground. Anxious to finish my "new project", I haul said clumps of eagerly awaiting to be planted again sod and drop them onto their new resting place like wet door mats. THUMP! Kinda reminds me of making a home made spinach and bolognese lasagna, only heavier.
Ah, almost done, but wait a minute... did I actually dig up more earth than I had sod for? This definitely appears to be the case so back in the car I hop and zoom on over to the corner where I made my first score. Bingo, it's my lucky day! There, patiently awaiting my return, is the rest of the gang appearing slightly wilted and abandoned. Into the back of the Volvo they go and in no time are happily reunited with their relatives.
Last time I checked the entire family is adapting quite well to their new hood and have started to put down some serious roots. The King of my backyard jungle seems to be enjoying the fruits of my labor and I am considering a career change over to landscaping. But first, I had better get started on that urban garden I've been fantasizing about.

Man - despite his artistic pretensions, his sophistication,
and his many accomplishments - owes his existence to
a six inch layer of topsoil and the fact that it rains.
Author Unknown

Signs We Love To See...

2008-06-29T21:44:00.001-07:00

The fresh produce wasn't the only thing that caught my eye while at the Hillsdale Farmer's Market this morning...

If I had known I would live this long, I would have taken better care of myself. ~Eubie Blake

Hey You, Eat Like I Do!

2008-06-26T08:32:00.000-07:00

Eating healthy has become a sort of hip sub culture reserved for exercise enthusiasts, vegetarians and their cousins the extreme vegans, elitist housewives who can afford to shop Whole Foods and a few sea weed eating, Birkenstock wearing hippies left over from the sixties.
But there's a fine line between eating healthy and trying to convert everyone you meet or know into eating like you do. I can speak about this and laugh because I've walked that tightrope. Now, if I'm seated next to a vegetarian at a dinner party, I pretty much don't talk for fear of sharing my wrath about how hard conception has become for non-meat eaters. This wasn't always the case.
There came a time in my life, which wasn't so very long ago, that I even started to annoy myself with my nutritional regurgitation bestowed upon every unsuspecting person who passed me in the grocery aisles. If I saw them lingering with a product in their hand or reading a label, I'd transform into a health nut junkie, aiming my syringe, eager to inject my rant about why they shouldn't be eating that particular food and the ill consequences if they did. To my smug satisfaction, most would happily engage in pleasant conversation about the sorry state of our food supply.
I caught myself doing this just the other day when I happened upon a package of exquisitely wrapped butter made from buffalo milk while at Whole Foods, ahem...(I was there only because I had a few minutes to pass before meeting up with a friend, I swear!). In my excitement I announced my find to the nearest shopper within ear shot before I could contain myself. She barely muttered an audible "Ohh" and walked on by leaving me to bask alone in my glory.
Poser!
I now realize eating healthy isn't for everyone and some people just want to go through the motions of eating without thinking about much more than how to get it past their mouths and into their bellies. Anything beyond that is too much work for most and I've accepted that some folks are perfectly comfortable with their convenient, however faulty diet. No need for me to be waving my nutritional finger in their faces.
In my other life, when I was a mom at the Santa Cruz Waldorf School and on my way to becoming a seaweed eating, Birkenstock wearing hippie, I read some spiritual something or other eluding to the fact that even if a woman had Oreos in her kitchen cupboard she still was able to possess a pure heart. A small and rather dimly lite bulb turned on above my head because at that time I still had a weakness for Oreos but I also knew the state of my heart was pretty darn pure.
I've loosened up on spewing nutritional wisdom and now save it for receptive audiences like my clients and friends who call for advice about how to rid their husbands from daily bouts of flatulence.
And every now and again, I enjoy a refreshing, cold glass of raw cow's milk with a Newman O cookie or two...maybe three.
So far, so good.

Preach not to others what they should eat, but eat as becomes you, and be silent.
~Epictetus (55 AD - 135 AD)

Food Song du Jour!

2008-06-25T12:28:00.000-07:00

JUNK FOOD JUNKIE, by Larry Groce

You know I love that organic cooking
I always ask for more
And they call me Mr Natural
On down to the health food store
I only eat good sea salt
White sugar don't touch my lips
And my friends is always begging me
To take them on macrobiotic trips
Yes, they are

Oh, but at night I stake out my strong box
That I keep under lock and key
And I take it off to my closet
Where nobody else can see
I open that door so slowly
Take a peek up north and south
Then I pull out a Hostess Twinkie
And I pop it in my mouth

Yeah, in the daytime I'm Mr Natural
Just as healthy as I can be
But at night I'm a junk food junkie
Good lord have pity on me

Well, at lunchtime you can always find me
At the Whole Earth Vitamin Bar
Just sucking on my plain white yogurt
From my hand thrown pottery jar
And sippin' a little hand pressed cider
With a carrot stick for dessert
And wiping my face in a natural way
On the sleeve of my peasant shirt
Oh, yeah

Ah, but when that clock strikes midnight
And I'm all by myself
I work that combination on my secret hideaway shelf
And I pull out some Fritos corn chips
Dr Pepper and an ole Moon Pie
Then I sit back in glorious expectation
Of a genuine junk food high

Oh yeah, in the daytime I'm Mr Natural
Just as healthy as I can be
Oh, but at night I'm a junk food junkie
Good lord have pity on me

My friends down at the commune
They think I'm pretty neat
Oh, I don't know nothing about arts and crafts
But I give 'em all something to eat
I'm a friend to old Euell Gibbons
And I only eat home grown spice
I got a John Keats autographed Grecian urn
Filled up with my brown rice
Yes, I do

Oh, folks but lately I have been spotted
With a Big Mac on my breath
Stumbling into a Colonel Sanders
With a face as white as death
I'm afraid someday they'll find me
Just stretched out on my bed
With a handful of Pringles potato chips
And a Ding Dong by my head

In the daytime I'm Mr Natural
Just as healthy as I can be
But at night I'm a junk food junkie
Good lord have pity on me

Go Ahead, Peek Inside My Medicine Cabinet!

2008-06-25T10:33:00.000-07:00

I've cleaned out my medicine cabinet in yet another attempt to uncluttered my life. Guess what? It's working. Five of my top 'beauty' products have been transfered from my kitchen cabinets due to their versatile attributes. I use them all in my daily hygiene ritual and wow, am I saving money. Plus, they really work!

I've listed the top five, with some added bonuses such as...

TIGAR BALM.. This stuff is not only great for those aching muscles after a day out in the garden but it takes away the itching and swelling of mosquito bites. I made this discovery while in Thailand providing the sole food source for the entire mosquito population of Bangkok.

BADGER SUNSCREEN.. #30 is the one you what. Truly Chemical Free!

DR. HAUSCHKA MASCARA.. I NEVER leave home without it. What can I say? Some habits just die hard!

And just because.. A tiny picture of a shirtless Elvis looking seductively back at me every time I open the door.

#1 Baking Soda- perfect for brushing teeth as it freshens the breath and supports healthy gums. I also use it as a face wash and exfoliant. Mix it into a paste with water or a few drops of olive oil if your skin tends to be dry. You can also add a drop of your favorite essential oil like lavender or rosemary. This is wonderful for washing the feet. The skin on my face became so smooth I now use it in the shower as a body and hair wash. Hey, don't knock it 'till you've tried it. My hair has never been more manageable. Goodbye harsh shampoos, I don't need you anymore.

#2 Apple Cider Vinegar- Oh, how I love thee. This is the perfect way to balance skin ph, just splash some on your face and neck after washing with baking soda, leave on for two minutes, then rinse with warm water. Careful not to get any in your eyes, it can sting! ACV sooths sun-burned skin and bug bites. Also great as a hair rinse removing built up residue from pollution and shampoo.

#3 Witch Hazel with Rose Water- I use this on days when I'm needing a little aromatherapy, which is pretty much everyday. Use alcohol-free witch hazel mixed equally with rose scented water. Place in a spray bottle and spritz onto neck and face. Ahhh, the scent is heaven.

#4 Coconut Oil- Extra Virgin, Cold Pressed, and Organic of course. This oil is nothing short of a miracle in a jar. I use a small amount on my face & neck, more on my arms and legs. Use as a hot oil treatment for your hair. It's perfect for chapped hands and lips, and as a deodorant. Yes, I said deodorant because of it's high anti- bacterial /viral properties. It does the job quite well except for those occasions when I've eaten raw onions and then I simply swab my under arms with some witch hazel before applying the coconut oil. Works like a charm!

#5 Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps- Always dilute your favorite scent as a little goes a long way. I have a bottle by my kitchen and bath sinks for hand washing. The peppermint stimulates tired feet. The almond is calming and soothing. You can also use it as a body wash. A one quart bottle lasts forever and besides it's fun to read the label.
There's nothing that boasts the spirits like a healthy and affordable beauty routine!

“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.”~Elizabeth Kuebler-Ross

Who's Your Farmer?

2008-06-17T22:46:00.000-07:00

It's a funny thing how this move to the city has brought me closer to the country. Last week I paid a visit to OSALT, (Oregon Sustainable Agriculture Land Trust), Natural Harvest in Canby, OR.
It was the perfect day for a trip to the farm. The sky was a sea of blue, with just a hint of spring breeze in the air. Mt. Hood with it's still snow capped peak stood at attention in the distance. Will Newman was our host, a sensible, well spoken man, and keeper of the land. We gathered around in a semi circle sitting on chairs and the soft earth and listened to his words of wisdom. He began by asking us to think about where we buy our food. To think about what we eat. To think about how it makes us feel. This is something I instinctively do with every day, every meal, but I'd never been asked to think about it before. I sensed this man should be talking to groups of school children instead of our small gathering of very food-wise folks. But the more I listened I realized there was more to be learned. Will gained our full attention as he described the evils of an industrialized agriculture that grows food, not for people, but for Safeway and Walmart. In the USA less than 2% of the population are farmers. The folks responsible for growing our food are not listed on the U.S. census. Farmers are listed in the category of 'all others'. He stated that as a nation we don't know what sustainable agriculture looks like because we've never seen it. Americans don't recognize the value of agricultural land which is why we're loosing more and more of it with each passing day. Industrial agriculture gives us weak plants, which we keep alive by spraying with pesticides, to keep bugs from eating them, so that we can! Farmers who grow organic tend to have more varieties and pay attention to the soil. More varieties and attention to soil makes for a healthier food supply. A healthier food supply...well I think you've got the drift.
So, I ask you to think about whom you would rather have growing your food. My vote's with Will.

http://www.osalt.org/home.html

Edible, adj.: Good to eat, and wholesome to digest, as a worm to a toad, a toad to a snake, a snake to a pig, a pig to a man, and a man to a worm. ~Ambrose Bierce

Healthy Food Tip & Recipe: Lettuce

2008-06-17T21:23:00.000-07:00

Most lettuces are relatively low in nutrients. Modern plant breeders are developing varieties that have more vitamins and minerals, but in general, we eat lettuce for its crisp clean sweetness and crunchy texture.

It is claimed that lettuce is an excellent remedy for acid indigestion and "heartburn." The bitter, milky latex sap is a mild narcotic and sleep inducer. The early Romans ate lettuce at the end of meals to aid digestion and induce sleep. Later, with the development of lettuce varieties containing less of the bitter, soporific sap, they ate lettuce at the beginning of the meal to whet the appetite.

When buying lettuce from your grocery store smell the butt for sweetness. Sweet lettuce is harvested early in the morning before the dew rises.

Recipe for Cin's Healthy Caesar Salad:

I learned to make this delicious salad when I was a waitress at Scopazzi's Restaurant in Boulder Creek, CA. We would wheel a wooden cart carrying all of the ingredients onto the dining room floor and prepare the salad from scratch in front of the diners. Imagine doing this on a busy Saturday night!
I've omitted a few items and up-graded the rest. This salad has been a healthy staple at my table for many years.

One farm fresh raw egg yolk
One fresh head of organic romaine lettuce, washed and dried
1/3 cup organic extra virgin olive oil
One tablespoon red wine vinegar
Juice from one half of an organic Meyer Lemon
1/8 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
1/4 cup of chopped fresh organic Italian parsley
One freshly pressed clove of garlic
4 minced anchovy fillets ( I prefer Boquerones marinated in olive oil and vinegar)

Tear lettuce and place in large salad bowl
Mix dressing in separate bowl then pour over romaine and toss
Top with fresh grated Parmesan cheese and home made croûtons
Grilled, free range chicken breast or fresh, wild salmon may be added for extra protein

She might like flowers, might like a poem
Might like it better if you were home
And cooked with her and did a little dance
Where the kitchen is happy, love has a chance
~Greg Brown

Running on Empty

2008-06-13T18:36:00.000-07:00

Great article in the Motley Fool Newsletter titled "Why We Should Embrace $4.00 a Gallon Gasoline". Morgan Housel does an excellent job of stating the cold hard facts as to why lowering the price of gas will give us no incentive to change. He offers a comparison to food that took place back in 1798.

"A British economist and demographer named Thomas Malthus wrote a treatise titled An Essay on the Principle of Population. His theory was depressing: Food supplies wouldn't keep up with population growth, and the future thus held the promise of famine and starvation. Why, more than 200 years later, have his views been proved grossly pessimistic? Because he failed to realize that the same pressures pushing down on food supplies would cause people to push back with new technology and innovative agricultural techniques. The same can be said for energy"

Although I question those innovative agriculture techniques that use pesticides and GMO, I feel hopeful that alternative energy like solar and wind power will be embraced. You'll hear a lot of buzz about nuclear but that's a short term solution taking more energy to build and decommission than it produces.
I applaud Morgan for concluding that we need to "suck it up". Maybe we've had our sunglasses on for too long but it's time to see the light. If things continue as they have been we will never develop alternative uses to oil. The time of the one family car has returned, shopping locally and in season has never looked better. Some of us who have been living this lifestyle as a choice won't have such a hard time adjusting.
For all others, quit your whining and suck it up!

The only way people are going to change their car buying habits, and the only way government will get behind alternatively fueled vehicles, is if gasoline prices continue to go up.
~Alexandra Paul

Milk! Does it Really Do the Body Good?

2008-06-12T09:28:00.000-07:00

Well, it really depends on what type of milk we're talking about, real or pasteurized? Why is it that at anytime, anyplace we can walk into any store and purchase government approved processed non-foods laden with artificial additives, nitrates, MSG, high fructose corn syrup, or cigarettes and alcohol, but in almost every state it is illegal to purchase pure, raw milk?
We've been led to believe that raw milk in it's natural, naked form is dangerous, swimming with pathogens and will cause us sickness and even death if ingested. Pasteurized milk is milk that has been heated, stripped of vitamins and enzymes, turned into low fat, indigestible, tasteless liquid, and packaged for long shelf life along with claims that it "does the body good." No wonder consumers are confused when they read such conflicting statements.

This is where self education becomes necessary when purchasing food for ourselves and our families. One of the best books to read on the subject is called "The Untold Story of Milk" by Ron Schmid, ND. This is a fascinating and compelling book that will change the way you think about milk.
I'm sure many of you are skeptical about drinking raw milk and my suggestion to you would be to investigate for yourself by seeking out raw milk drinkers in your community, find a local source, visit a raw dairy farm and drink a glass. I'm convinced once you taste the creamy richness of whole fat, sweet, creamy raw milk you will gladly incorporate it into your new healthy food plan. Many people who have been plagued with dairy allergies are pleased to find this isn't the case when the switch to raw milk has been made. And here's a little secret, many dairy farmers who produce pasteurized milk drink it raw. Their reason, "It taste better and is better for you!"

It seems in spite of the fear tactics used by the FDA to dissuade the consumption of raw milk, demand is on the rise. Could it be this increase in demand is due to the fact that consumers are finally waking from their processed food induced comas and wanting real, not dead foods? Could it also be that the focus is shifting to the bigger picture that suggests the benefits of drinking milk that has not been pasteurized out weighs the risks? Don't be fooled into thinking that because a food is dead it is safe. All foods carry risks. Raw milk is one of the safest foods available due to the fact that pathogens die off rapidly in raw milk but thrive and live in pasteurized.
Other sources of healthy dairy can be found in raw cheeses, raw yogurt, butter and fermented drinks such as kefir. Keep in mind that real, grass-fed milk is full of things that your body will thrive on: good bacteria, raw fat, cancer fighting conjugated linoleic acid, (CLA) and much more.

I wish I had known these facts when I was living in California and one can actually purchase raw milk from the grocer's shelf due to the diligence of the raw milk movement. Here in Oregon, I belong to a co-op that drives one and a half hours each week in efforts to bring this delicious and beneficial food to our tables.

I appreciate the FDA's interest for my safety and health but wish they would shift their concerns to the artificial flavors, additives, and preservatives that are allowed into our food supply and leave my raw milk mustache alone.

Cheers!

Sources of Real Milk in the USA

“I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose.”~Woody Allen

Magic Mushrooms

2008-06-11T09:41:00.000-07:00

Getting Back to Sustaining the Earth …

It’s always been apparent to me that the health of your body is intricately tied to the health of the land. But how is it possible to maintain personal health when we are drowning in a sea of toxins? It appears the tides are turning in regard to how we view our connection to nature. Everywhere you look many folks are choosing to return to the old ways and more sustainable practices of long-ago generations. Even Walmart is jumping on the organic train although this could be a bad thing for obvious reasons.

Then along comes a genius of a man with a revolutionary idea on how to remove toxic build up from the earth and it's all done with mushrooms. According to Mycologist Paul Stamets, “There are more species of fungi, bacteria, and protozoa in a single scoop of soil than there are plants and vertebrate animals in all of North America,” from Stamets book Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World.

And it seems there is virtually no limit to what these fungal spores, which Stamets calls “the neurological network of nature", can do.

Here are some examples of mushroom magic:

Restore habitat that’s been devastated by pollution
Naturally fight flu viruses and other diseases
Kill ants, termites and other insects without the use of pesticides
Create a sustainable fuel known as Econol

I'm a firm believer in the fact that our future health depends on creating sustainable farming practices that will provide pure, nourishing food, and this requires cleaning up the soil that has been devastated by industry. Can this grand task be done by growing mushrooms? Paul Stamets seems to think so and I'm not one to argue with a Mycologist!
Could it be the simplest ideas will be the ones that ultimately improve the world?
Now, this is something to get excited about!

"Not being ambitious of martyrdom, even in the cause of gastronomical enterprise, especially if the instrument is to be a contemptible, rank-smelling fungus, I never eat or cook mushrooms."
Marion Harland (1873) Common Sense in the Household: A Manual of Practical Housewifery

Praise the Lard

2008-06-09T22:31:00.000-07:00

We have been on a low fat diet for some sixty years now. Are we getting any thinner or any healthier? We've been told to avoid eating fat because fat makes us gain weight. Actually the opposite is true. By eating a portion of healthy fat with each meal we stay satiated longer. Fat also helps to keep our blood sugar level stable.

Here’s a list of some very healthy fats that you should immediately add to your grocery list…and slowly incorporate them into your diet.

FATS TO ENJOY!

Butter. Preferably from cows that have grazed on grass. The Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) content is higher and CLA has strong anticancer properties. Read the label, it will be stated if the cows are pastured on grass.

Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. Not all saturated fat is bad! Coconut oil is cholesterol-free and contains medium-chain good fats with 50% Lauric Acid, a healthy nutrient that supports the metabolism. This is a perfect oil for cooking because it can withstand high heat.

Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This is the oil to use on salads. Heat destroys it’s beneficial properties so enjoy it cold.

Avocados. Peel one today!

Eggs and their yolks. The egg is nature's perfect food. Why mess with something that's perfect? It has the right amount of protein connected to the right amount of fat. It doesn't get any easier than this folks!

Nuts. Perfect for snacking.

FATS TO AVOID!

Margarine. It's nasty, there’s no other way to put it. If you put a stick of margarine out in your garage the bugs won’t even eat it. And if you come back in a month, it will still be there, unchanged, but still nasty. Now, aren’t you happy I told you to eat butter?

Canola, soy, cottonseed oils. Stay away from them like the plague. They are highly processed and are rancid by the time they reach the grocery shelves. The human body cannot and does not have the ability to digest refined oils.

HERE ARE SOME REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD BEGIN TO ENJOY EATING HEALTHY FATS

Healthy Fats are imperative for healthy cholesterol levels

Healthy Fats provide cell wall integrity

Healthy Fats are necessary for the absorption of the fat soluble vitamins A,D,E and K

Our internal organs are protected by a layer of fat

Fat is necessary for brain development (important for infants and children!)

Fat is the main fuel for the muscles (the heart is a muscle!)

Fat is important for hormone balance

Fat is the main slow burning, long acting fuel. Therefore fats are absolutely necessary for blood sugar regulation and gall bladder/liver function, and therefore optimal weight control which brings with it optimal health.

And here is the best reason of all, fat makes food taste good!

So how are we going to accomplish all of the above if we abstain from eating fat?

Please, pass the lard!

I can still memory - taste the fresh buttermilk pancakes and hot buttermilk biscuits - both made with lard! - that were cooked on the top, or in the oven, of that ancient iron stove.
~Vernon L. Smith

Ten Simple Steps to Improve the Quality of Your Life

2008-06-09T12:35:00.000-07:00

What if I told you that HOW you eat can make you feel better by making a few simple changes in WHAT you eat? Would you listen or would you think this is just another diet where I’m going to starve myself and eat a bunch of horrible tasting stuff while counting calories all day long? Good news, it’s not any of that but rather a way to enjoy real food, control cravings, feel better and lose excess weight. And it’s easy. Some, in fact, most of the information is old school, stuff our ancestors instinctively knew how to do without anyone telling them. There are some things you may have to give up but the rewards will be worth it, I promise! Most of the changes are quick and easily incorporated into any lifestyle. Before you convince yourself that you don’t have time in your life to make these changes I’d like to share with you something a friend said in regards to my Eat Well Diet. “I certainly have time to peel an avocado”. To her this was a natural response.

Think of it as learning how to walk again. Let's begin with baby steps...

1) DRINK MORE WATER

Your body needs it. We are made up of mostly 80% water. Dehydration is a serious problem affecting most of us and can be the cause of many of our health issues including headaches, fatigue, back pain, stiff joints, and asthma to name a few. Here is a simple way to find out what is the right amount of water you should be drinking every day. Take your body weight and divide by two. That is the amount of water in ounces that you should be consuming every day. During sleep, the body dehydrates. First thing every morning drink 3 glasses of filtered water upon rising before you do anything else. Throughout the day sip water and with it take a pinch of sea salt to help transport the water into your cells as opposed to it going straight through your kidneys. Celtic or Himalayan sea salt is recommended because of the high mineral content. Start drinking your allotted amount of water immediately and notice the changes in the way you feel. Be sure to avoid water in plastic water bottles, more on that later. And remember beverages like sodas, caffeinated teas and coffee, alcohol and fruit juices DO NOT COUNT as part of your daily liquid intake as they are all diuretics.

Cheers!

2) CHEW YOUR FOOD

Before eating allow yourself a moment to breathe deeply and RELAX. This is important in order for digestion to begin. Digestion is a north to south process, it begins in the brain. Just thinking about food can make you salivate.

Cut your food into small pieces and with that very first bite begin to chew your food slowly. The breakdown of carbohydrates begins in your mouth with the release of the enzyme amylase.

A stressful state of mind and body inhibits the production of Hydrochloric Acid (HCL) which is necessary for the digestion of protein in the stomach. HCL washes the stomach to cleanse any bacteria or parasites that may accompany the incoming food. Also a diet high in refined carbohydrates and sugar will also cease the production of HCL.

3) EAT BREAKFAST

It’s true. Breakfast is still the most important meal of the day. It supplies you with the fuel you need to take care of business. A cup of coffee is not breakfast. A bowl of cereal is not breakfast.

This is an example of a healthy, high protein breakfast:

Two eggs over easy, some turkey, bacon, ham or whatever other healthy meat you prefer, a slice of sprouted whole wheat toast with butter, a slice of avocado, and if you have room, a small bowl of yogurt with some nuts on top, or a small bowl of oatmeal with cream and butter. If you’re not hungry in the morning refer to Step #2. There’s a good chance you haven’t digested dinner from the night before. If you feel you don’t have time in the morning to prepare breakfast go to bed 15 minutes earlier and set your alarm 15 minutes earlier.

That’s it, now you have time for breakfast!

4) EAT MORE HEALTHY FATS

This isn’t new information it’s just that everyone is afraid to say it because we’ve been brainwashed to think that fat is bad for us. Well, I’m here to tell you it isn’t. We’re talking about healthy fats of course not the hydrogenated kinds. Low-fat foods have been overly processed to remove the fat. Overly processed anything is not OK for anyone.

5) EAT SOMETHING RAW WITH EVERY MEAL

Raw foods have a high vitamin and mineral content that is lost when foods are cooked and their enzyme content helps us to digest. Every culture in the world eats a small dish of raw or fermented food with meals. The Koreans eat kimchi, Germans eat sauerkraut, the Japanese eat natto.

6) EAT UNTIL YOU ARE 80% FULL

Leave room in your stomach for digestion to take place. If you’re eating the right combination of macro nutrients (30% protein, 30% fats and 40% carbohydrates for most people) you’ll feel satisfied and won’t have to stuff yourself.

7) EAT WHOLE FOODS

When in the grocery store only shop the perimeter aisles. The inner aisles are the overly refined and overly processed imitations of food. Fresh fruits, vegetables, fish and meats are what you should have in your shopping cart. Farmer’s Markets are in every town and can be an enjoyable and social way to obtain your fresh food choices. Get to know your farmer. It’s a pleasurable experience to know who is providing your food source. There is a nationwide movement to return to this slower pace of life based on growing good food and good bodies. And to help make your support of local farmers more convenient many communities also have Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) which delivers locally grown produce to it’s members on a weekly schedule for a fee. It’s time to get on board the slow food train.

8) EAT THREE BALANCED MEALS AND THEN SOME

Be conscious and don’t skip meals. This practice will keep your blood sugar levels regulated and help to maintain even energy levels throughout the day. Eating a healthy protein snack in between meals also helps to avoid the spikes and lows in energy levels and decreases episodes of brain fog and weak concentration. Don’t depend on caffeine to get you through your day. Your body needs to be nourished in order to fully function. Feed it.

9) DITCH WHITE FLOUR, WHITE BREAD, WHITE SUGAR, WHITE RICE, WHITE PASTA

This is a big one for most people and that is why I’m listing it near the end. Still it has to be said. If you feel like this is impossible, try it for just two weeks. Increasing your fat intake will keep your body satiated and lessen your cravings for these non-foods. Pay attention to your body and you may notice that your aches and pains have suddenly subsided; maybe the fatigue has finally lifted. You may find yourself with more energy than before and your mood may become lighter. Some of those unnecessary pounds may disappear as well.

10) BE THANKFUL (You can take the time to do this while chewing your food!)

You have the ability to make healthy choices. Embrace this gift and enjoy the bounty of wholesome food that has been sent our way. The earth provides us with every resource we need to thrive and to be healthy in our bodies.

Cherish this opportunity to eat well.

One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating. ~Luciano Pavarotti and William Wright, Pavarotti, My Own Story