Earlier this month, countries including Germany, France, Japan and the U.K. signed a joint declaration as part of the United Nation's Food and Agriculture efforts to reduce food waste.
Organic
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Most Topular Stories
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We Throw Away, 1 Billion Starve: UN Takes On Food Waste
OrganicAuthority.com - Organic Blog28 Jan 2012 | 2:00 am -
Organic farmers win legal case
OrganicFoodee.com » News16 Jan 2012 | 3:54 pmPurveyors of conventional and genetically-modified (GM) crops (and the pesticides and herbicides that accompany them) are finally getting a taste of their own legal medicine. Minnesota’s Star Tribune has reported that the Minnesota Court of Appeals recently ruled that a large organic farm surrounded by chemical-laden conventional farms can seek damages for lost crops, as well as lost profits, caused by the illegal trespassing of pesticides and herbicides on its property. Oluf and Debra Johnson’s 1,500-acre organic farm in Stearns County, Minn., has repeatedly been contaminated by… -
TV Viewing Linked to Unhealthy Eating
Natural Health & Organic Living Blog26 Jan 2012 | 3:54 pmThere’s an old adage that says TV rots your brain. While this may not be literally true, there are ways it can contribute to the spoiling of your health. A newly published meta-study carried out by researchers at Loughborough University’s School of Sport, Exercise and Health (SSEHS), in England, has underscored potential health hazards of spending too much time in front of the tube. Data was collected from 53 separate international studies which focused on sedentary behavior as it relates to dietary and television viewing habits. A strong association was found between watching large… -
Nothing like New Year’s Day!
Tiny Farm Blog1 Jan 2012 | 10:56 pmThe holidays are fine and all, but in recent years, I’ve liked New Year’s Day! This is the view to the left from the front door—the market garden is about a mile down that road. Our little stretch of winter-like weather is holding, but it’s supposed to warm up and rain a little later, so most of this snow will likely soon be gone. For now, a nice, white and wintry start to what I’m sure will be an interestin’ year all round. I’m up for it. Happy New Year!Nothing like New Year’s Day! -
Coffee Grounds and Other Useful Garden Helpers
Organic Gardening And Green Lifestyle27 Jan 2012 | 2:43 pmThere is the theory that coffee grounds are great for your soil. If you are huge into gardening and always trying something new to help your garden stay green, this might be the perfect time for you to find out and give a review. Cool things for your garden Using coffee grounds in your garden means you are going to need a great deal of grounds to get your entire garden covered. There are a few machines that can handle this. The Kaffeeautomaten is a machine that can do the job. The machine is automated, so it will always have grounds ready to go. The more grounds you get on your garden, the…
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OrganicAuthority.com - Organic Blog
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We Throw Away, 1 Billion Starve: UN Takes On Food Waste
28 Jan 2012 | 2:00 amEarlier this month, countries including Germany, France, Japan and the U.K. signed a joint declaration as part of the United Nation's Food and Agriculture efforts to reduce food waste. -
Alas, Major New Regulations for America’s School Lunches Announced
27 Jan 2012 | 2:00 amFirst lady Michelle Obama and the USDA's Tom Vilsack announced a list of new nutrition standards for public school meals earlier this week with major health upgrades for the nation's children, earning applause from consumer health organizations and advocacy groups. -
More Miracles from the Rainforest: Yerba Maté Kills Cancer
26 Jan 2012 | 2:00 amYerba maté, the national drink of South American countries Argentina and Paraguay, has been shown to kill colon cancer cells in a recent University of Illinois study published in the journal Molecular Nutrition; Food Research. -
Will Hot Dogs Become Illegal? EPA to Announce New Dioxin Limits
25 Jan 2012 | 2:00 amThe EPA is expected to publish an updated position by the end of January on what the agency determines to be acceptable levels of dioxins based on the Reanalysis that began last August. The report is expected to set upper limits on what is considered safe dioxin consumption levels. -
McDonald’s Twitter Campaign: Fans Not Loving It
24 Jan 2012 | 2:00 am"Liquid chicken nuggets. Who's hungry for @McDonalds? " That's a tweet released by the animal rights group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) directing anyone following the McDonald's #McDStories hashtag short-lived campaign that went live last week to learn more about the chain's ingredients, and just one of the many examples of how McDonald's recent Twitter marketing campaign backfired on the fast food giant.
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OrganicFoodee.com » News
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Organic farmers win legal case
16 Jan 2012 | 3:54 pmPurveyors of conventional and genetically-modified (GM) crops (and the pesticides and herbicides that accompany them) are finally getting a taste of their own legal medicine. Minnesota’s Star Tribune has reported that the Minnesota Court of Appeals recently ruled that a large organic farm surrounded by chemical-laden conventional farms can seek damages for lost crops, as well as lost profits, caused by the illegal trespassing of pesticides and herbicides on its property. Oluf and Debra Johnson’s 1,500-acre organic farm in Stearns County, Minn., has repeatedly been contaminated by… -
Monsanto and the US Government
6 Dec 2011 | 10:28 pmIt’s a scary truth that the biggest corporation developing genetically modified food crops share their highest ranking staff with the US Government, and vice versa. This is nothing new, with the roots of genetically modified food reaching back into US politics for over twenty years. This image shows the connections between Monsanto and the US Government, with people employed by both listed and named. -
Raising a glass of juice to this hot mama
3 Dec 2011 | 1:37 pmThis beautiful lady’s youthful health is attributed to her mostly raw vegan diet, but also, I bet her beautiful loving outlook on life is a major part of her health success! Click the link to watch the video of this extraordinary 71 year old lady. Sexy, youthful, vibrant and healthy raw vegan 71 year old lady -
Delayed Persimmon Season
21 Oct 2011 | 11:13 amCalifornia orchardists just cannot get a break this year. The long, very cold winter we had was followed by a finicky spring that teased trees into blooming and then spanked them with a hard frost. Some crops were lost altogether; some were delayed. The latter is the persimmon grower’s lot. Set back some two to three weeks, the persimmon harvests are just now kicking into full gear. If you prefer the Fuyu fruit — the harder, squat, tomato-shaped persimmon variety — you’re in luck. Several farmers market vendors, including Burkard Organics, Peacock Family Farms, Rancho… -
GM companies get blowback
3 Aug 2011 | 7:43 amOluf Johnson’s 1,500-acre farm in Stearns County is an organic island in a sea of chemically treated corn and soybeans. Improperly applied pesticides repeatedly drift over from neighboring farms, often with dire consequences for Johnson. But now, thanks to a new court ruling, he and other farmers can sue to recover their losses. Letting damaging chemicals cross property lines is trespassing, the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled on Monday. Moreover, since those pesticides made his crop unsalable in the organic market, Johnson is entitled to damages from the company that applied it, the…
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Natural Health & Organic Living Blog
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TV Viewing Linked to Unhealthy Eating
26 Jan 2012 | 3:54 pmThere’s an old adage that says TV rots your brain. While this may not be literally true, there are ways it can contribute to the spoiling of your health. A newly published meta-study carried out by researchers at Loughborough University’s School of Sport, Exercise and Health (SSEHS), in England, has underscored potential health hazards of spending too much time in front of the tube. Data was collected from 53 separate international studies which focused on sedentary behavior as it relates to dietary and television viewing habits. A strong association was found between watching large… -
VIDEO: Dr. Group’s Interview on The Alex Jones Show
24 Jan 2012 | 3:50 pmI am proud to publish a video of my latest interview from the January 20th, 2012 edition of -
ANNOUNCEMENT: Dr. Group will be a guest on The Alex Jones Show on Friday, January 20th
18 Jan 2012 | 1:15 pmWe are excited to announce that Dr. Group will be a guest this week on The Alex Jones Show on Friday, January 20th at approximately 12:30pm CST with guest host, Mike Adams of NaturalNews They will be talking about aluminum detox to rid your body of toxic aluminum from chemtrails and contaminated foods. They’ll also cover Bisphenol-A (BPA) and other hormone disrupting contaminants. Listen to the LIVE Webcast at: www.infowars.com/listen-on-the-internet The Alex Jones Show is a nationally syndicated news/talk show based out of Austin, TX. If you’ve never heard of Alex Jones, then… -
Announcement: Green PolkaDot Box Launches its Organic Online Savings Club
13 Jan 2012 | 3:49 pmLet’s face it; most of us want to eat healthier. But it seems almost impossible for a couple of fundamental reasons: no convenient market that carries organic fruits, veggies, supplements, and packaged and prepared foods; or, maybe more importantly in the age of the internet, organic foods are simply less affordable than conventional foods. Here at Global Healing Center we are constantly searching for ways to provide our customers with information to help them achieve optimal health. Our most recent discovery is Green PolkaDot Box— an online buyers’ club that sells many organic… -
ANNOUNCEMENT: Dr. Group will be on ‘NaturalNews Talk Hour’ on January 12
10 Jan 2012 | 2:10 pmWe are excited to announce that Dr. Group will be the featured guest this week on ‘Natural News Talk Hour’ on January 12, 2012 at 9:00pm to 10:00pm (EST). They will be discussing the various toxins present in many homes and how to identify and eliminate those toxins from your home using organic methods. A few of the topics to be discussed: The most dangerous foods in your kitchen and refrigerator Harmful toxins that are most likely floating in the air inside your home Toxic chemicals in your home water system, dishwasher and laundry machine Chemicals and heavy metals most people and…
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Tiny Farm Blog
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Nothing like New Year’s Day!
1 Jan 2012 | 10:56 pmThe holidays are fine and all, but in recent years, I’ve liked New Year’s Day! This is the view to the left from the front door—the market garden is about a mile down that road. Our little stretch of winter-like weather is holding, but it’s supposed to warm up and rain a little later, so most of this snow will likely soon be gone. For now, a nice, white and wintry start to what I’m sure will be an interestin’ year all round. I’m up for it. Happy New Year!Nothing like New Year’s Day! -
Anchoring the hoophouse
9 Dec 2011 | 2:03 pm[From Nov. 25, 2011] Finally got around to at least getting the base of the hoophouse anchored. This whole decision of whether to build it now or wait till spring has been up in the air for a while. At least, with the 4×4 rough cut cedar beams that hold up the steel ribs positioned and the anchor posts set, it’ll be relatively easy to get the frame up and then skin it…whenever. Even on a warm day in February or March! Flexibility! Options! Or maybe just…putting it off. I do want to purchase new plastic—what’s on hand now is around five years old, gotten milky,… -
Building Soils for Better Crops
8 Dec 2011 | 10:08 amHad the downloaded digital version of this book since the 2nd edition, for at least a couple of years now, dipped into it, but still haven’t read it through. I should and I will. This winter! The 3rd edition of Building Soils for Better Crops: Sustainable Soil Management came out last year and it’s even better, full of practical science for the upward-looking tiny farmer and veggie gardener. Here’s the blurb: “A one-of-a-kind, practical guide to ecological soil management. It provides step-by-step information on soil-improving practices as well as in-depth… -
Bicycle commute
7 Dec 2011 | 6:44 pm[From Jul. 27, 2011] There’s talking about biking-not-driving, and then there’s doing it! :) Today, Tracy, Andrea and I all made it in on two wheels with feet doing their stuff. It’s not a hard ride, about 30 minutes each way, Tracy a little closer, and mostly on pleasant bike trails. Fun on a beautiful, sunny summer’s day. Still, even after last season’s driving adventures, commuting to the farm is new, unusual and…bothersome, the way it limits the farm day. At least, by biking, the commute has a payoff, a daily one-hour workout that’s not just… -
Somewhat submerged!
6 Dec 2011 | 4:00 pm[From Dec. 5, 2011] It’s a wet December! After only a couple of days of rain, the ground is pretty well waterlogged, to the point where I can’t move the Kubota compact tractor without leaving deep furrows that’ll be totally compacted and eventually dry like concrete. So, before being rained out entirely three-quarters of the way through the job, it was slogging on 100′ round trips through boot-sucking muck, one forkload of hay at a time, to mulch garlic—not a big deal, there’s only a 100′ bed and a half to cover, but the EASIER plan was to use the tractor…
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Organic Gardening And Green Lifestyle
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Coffee Grounds and Other Useful Garden Helpers
27 Jan 2012 | 2:43 pmThere is the theory that coffee grounds are great for your soil. If you are huge into gardening and always trying something new to help your garden stay green, this might be the perfect time for you to find out and give a review. Cool things for your garden Using coffee grounds in your garden means you are going to need a great deal of grounds to get your entire garden covered. There are a few machines that can handle this. The Kaffeeautomaten is a machine that can do the job. The machine is automated, so it will always have grounds ready to go. The more grounds you get on your garden, the… -
Whole Foods: Wholesale Surrender to Genetically Modified Food
17 Jan 2012 | 1:47 pmPart of the great American trend toward “green” living has been the rapid rise of organic foods. “Organic” means many things to many people. Consumers envision the meat products they eat being grown in wide-open, free-range environs. They picture their fruits and vegetables being farmed without the use of harmful pesticides. They imagine that they are feeding their families from wholesome crops, farmed by Midwestern families, relying on only the sun, the rain and the grace of the Good Lord above. Those illusions are likely to be shattered for millions of shoppers when… -
The Benefits of Being a Vegetarian
13 Jan 2012 | 7:56 pmThe health benefits of being a vegetarian are simple and beneficial. Essentially this type of diet improves the overall health of the mind and body. Many believe it can add years to your life and with a little practice and some knowledge it is easy to do. Let us discuss some of the potential benefits of becoming a vegetarian. See what seems to apply to you and why you might want to change to the vegetarian lifestyle. 1. Improved Nutrition For those who are looking to improve their nutrition, the vegetarian lifestyle is a great choice. The ability to get complete proteins is a proven advantage… -
The 5 Worst Garden Pests—and How to Control Them
12 Jan 2012 | 4:49 pmGarden pests are something that every gardener has to deal with. It doesn’t matter where you live; there are five common garden pests that can be dealt with and eliminated if you know which products to use and how to eliminate them. Aphids This common garden pest loves munching on plant foliage and leaves behind small holes. To get rid of aphids make sure that you drench your plants at least once a day with a strong burst of water. If Aphids persist you can insure that they will be eliminated by creating a mixture of insecticidal soap and water or mix water with garlic or summer oil. Once… -
Turn Your Garden Into A Business With The Help Of A Credit Card Processing Service
9 Jan 2012 | 7:58 pmIf you are one of those lucky people, that is able to plan a huge garden and maintain it into a wonderful garden full of flowers, herbs, and vegetables, then that is a great thing. It is even better if you are able to turn it into a business. Taking your garden, and making money from it Most of us do not have a green thumb, and we cannot grow a garden if our life depended on it. Therefore, we seek items that normally can be grown in a garden to buy. One way to start a business using your garden, is to sell out of your garden. A simple website with pictures of items that can be bought from…
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Fig+Sage
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Interview With Shelly Malone, Registered Dietitian and Founder Of Clean Cravings - Food. Pure & Simple.
25 Jan 2012 | 7:28 pmWe discovered Clean Cravings two years ago and became instant fans because their healthy crusts are good for you and super delicious. They fill a void. If you've been on... {This is a content summary. For full post, images, links and more visit www.figandsage.com.} -
Guest Post :: Start The New Year With An Essential Oil Detox {By Aromatherapist Hope Gillerman}
24 Jan 2012 | 9:54 amI discovered H. Gillerman Organics three years ago right before the holidays (read that post here) and immediately fell in love with their essential oil blends, especially Sleep Remedy, which I no... {This is a content summary. For full post, images, links and more visit www.figandsage.com.} -
Announcing :: Mom & Doc Apothecary Launches First Product, 100% Organic Skin Balm {Review}
23 Jan 2012 | 3:04 pmFrom the maker of Zoe Organics and Dr. Michael Shannon, comes new brand Mom & Doc Apothecary. Their very first product, a healing and hydrating Organic Skin Balm, is set to launch on January... {This is a content summary. For full post, images, links and more visit www.figandsage.com.}
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Your Local Market Blog — Bellevue, Seattle — Recipes
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Hail, The Mighty Pocketknife
11 Jan 2012 | 8:21 amFrom GENE LOGSDON Time was, a farmer would feel naked without a pocketknife in his bibs. Even today, it is the handiest tool of all. There is always a bale twine to cut, a splinter in the skin to remove, a fingernail to trim, a scion to be grafted, a hoof to be cleaned, a [...] -
West Coast Organic Cole Slaw Recipe
8 Jan 2012 | 7:00 amFrom Greg Atkinson The dark leaves of kale and red chard give this version of cole slaw an exotic look, and the perfume of sesame oil reinforces the notion that this is no ordinary slaw. The greens should marinate in the dressing for at least 20 minutes before you serve the salad. For the [...] -
Gene Logsdon: Maybe Old Tractors Do Die
5 Jan 2012 | 9:07 amFrom GENE LOGSDON After the conversations we had here recently about old tractors, I began to hear about a problem that really does affect their longevity. Ethanol in gasoline is not the wonder fuel it has been made out to be. It is causing problems when used in off-road vehicles— lawn motors, chain saws, boat [...] -
New Year’s at Nine (with Organic Recipes)
26 Dec 2011 | 9:26 pmFrom Lisa Barnes What did you do last New Year’s with small children and no babysitter? We had a family party to celebrate the New Year on East Coast time. Although you can use Australian time, or any other time that suits your needs and bedtime. We were hoping to celebrate with friends and their kids, [...] -
Any “Tidings of Great Joy” This Sad Christmas?
22 Dec 2011 | 10:23 amFrom GENE LOGSDON Yes. I was reading the Cleveland Plain Dealer the other day when I came across the most intriguing photograph. It was of a dark-skinned woman in colorful clothing with a huge basket of fresh vegetables balanced on her head. Behind her was a large, immaculately neat and verdant garden. Probably someplace in [...]
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The Manic Gardener
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Coleslaw, anyone?
17 Jan 2012 | 12:43 amMeadow Zelenitz-McCracken, The Bozeman Chronicle, Jan. 14, 2012 I had to blink once or twice when I saw this photo in Saturday’s paper. I mean, that 65 pound monster was grown here in Bozeman. By a third grader. I bet it outweighs her. You can read the article in the Bozeman Chronicle, or join me in my room, where you’ll find me sobbing under my bed. The aptly named Meadow grew not only the largest cabbage in this year’s Bonnie Plants Cabbage Program, but the largest ever grown in the program. Clearly, Meadow has a great future as a gardener. Me, I’m going to… -
King Corn: an exposé with a light touch
24 Dec 2011 | 12:22 amWe just watched King Corn this evening. I know, it’s been out for a while; we’re a bit behind the curve here. But if you are too–if you haven’t seen it–it’s worth the time. It’s funny and lowkey, and sort of sneaks up sideways on its subject, an exposé of commodity corn. I didn’t know the setup when we started watching: two recent college graduates (Ian Cheney and Curtis Ellis) get their hair analyzed (!), learn they’re “made of corn,” and decide to go back to the Iowa town both their grandfathers had farmed in years before,… -
Podcast #13 – Notes and Links for “Turning the Tables: Organic Farmers Sue Monsanto”
19 Dec 2011 | 6:03 pmThe “upcoming” podcast mentioned a few days ago is now up. You can listen to or download the show, “Turning the Tables: Organic Farmers Sue Monsanto,” to get part of the back story about why 83 organic seed growers, farmers, and organizations are suing GMO seed giant (and manufacturer of RoundUp) Monsanto. You can also check out my original post on the suit, written a couple of days after it was filed last spring, for some background. In the course of the show, many sins are laid at Monsanto’s feet: that genetically modified crops don’t increase yields as promised, that… -
Upcoming podcast: Organics vs. Monsanto
16 Dec 2011 | 7:00 amYesterday I came off a marathon podcast editing session–about 20 hours straight, tacked onto the end of a work day. It’s not the first time I’ve stayed up all night putting the podcast to bed; this fall I’ve probably been up more Tuesday nights than I’ve slept. But this was a bigger deal than most. This was a show about the suit brought by organic farmers, seed growers, and organizations against Monsanto, the seed company that keeps suing farmers whose fields become contaminated with its genetically modified–and patented–seeds. Last spring, this group… -
A Recipe for Childhood Obesity
15 Dec 2011 | 10:07 pmIf you’re low on things to be mad about, I’ve got an article for you. But if your blood pressure is already high, maybe you should pass. The article, which appeared in the N.Y. Times a couple of Sundays back (Dec. 3, 2011), describes how companies that provide food for school lunches are getting rich turning simple, healthy ingredients into junk food. How can this be? In “How the Food Industry Eats Your Kid’s Lunch,” investigative reporter Lucy Komisar explains all, in an article packed with relevant stats and useful links. I’m giving no more than a…
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DOWN TO EARTH
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Signed copies of my book
27 Jan 2012 | 12:04 pmI'll be sending in an order to Penguin soon so I can sell signed copies of my book. If you'd like to order a signed copy, please send me an email (rhondahetzel@gmail.com) with this information: your name and address the number of books you would like to order the name you want me to write in the inscription I don't want to over-order and be left with books here. If you read this at the forum -
Weekend reading
26 Jan 2012 | 12:17 pmThis is my regular Friday feature in which I share a few things I've read or watched recently and some blogs that have inspired me in some way. We all know the internet is an amazing place, with many nooks and crannies to explore. I hope these links reveal interest and beauty you might not otherwise have found. Wabi-Sabi Wanderings blog Adalyn Farm blog - chickens in the snow Peppers -
How far is too far?
25 Jan 2012 | 1:13 pmHappy Australia Day to my fellow Australians! Whether you celebrate quietly with Vegemite on toast while watching the cricket, or at a BBQ with a lot of people, fireworks and wine, I hope you enjoy today. We have a lot to be thankful for. ~~~~~*~~~~~~ Just after Christmas I had to go to town to buy a couple of things at the post-Christmas sales. I grabbed my trusty small brown leather bag -
Making ginger beer from scratch
24 Jan 2012 | 11:52 amWe had a nice supply of ginger beer going over Christmas. It's a delicious soft drink for young and old, although there is an alcoholic version that can be made with a slight variation on the recipe. Ginger beer is a naturally fermented drink that is easy to make - with ginger beer you make a starter called a ginger beer plant and after it has fermented, you add that to sweet water and lemon -
Simple, hands-on living
23 Jan 2012 | 12:24 pmI live a charmed life. We live here, on this fertile land with a creek running by it, at the end of a one-lane street, surrounded by a few neighbours and bushland. We use our land; it is one of our assets and to not use it productively would shame us. We grow food and keep chickens and that allows us to eat fresh organic produce that we would not be able to afford if we had to buy it all the
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Chews Wise
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How to make a sourdough starter
23 Jan 2012 | 10:30 amSourdough is basically fermented flour and water, fed with more flour and water on a regular schedule. I came cross this video which explains the process. At this time of year, make sure your water is warm, around 80-85 F (26-29 C), and it will kickstart the process. Another trick: rise the starter in a microwave oven or other enclosed space and place a cup of just-boiled water inside. Don't turn on the microwave: you just want to create a "proofing box" (enclosed space) that keeps the starter warm. You can also use whole wheat flour in place of the rye, or all rye or all… -
Poetic crumb for weekend bread bakers
21 Jan 2012 | 3:47 pmTo bread I do not ask to teach me but only not to lack during every day of life. I don’t know anything about light, from whereit comes nor where it goes,I only want the light to light up,I do not ask to the nightexplanations,I wait for it and it envelops me,And so you, bread and lightAnd shadow are. - Excerpt from Pablo Neruda's "And Because Love Battles" -
An Interview about FERN: the Food & Environment Reporting Network
19 Dec 2011 | 9:00 amJust a quick note. On Sunday, I did an interview with the Heritage Radio Network talking about the new non-profit journalism venture I'm involved with, FERN. This might give you a better idea of what we're trying to accomplish and the type of stories we're doing. At the link above, you can listen to the whole 30-minute interview or digest it in segments. The host, Katy Keiffer, was a pleasure to talk to -- and she mentioned she actually read this blog. OK, so I know someone is out there! - Samuel Fromartz -
Bread books and others for the holidays
16 Dec 2011 | 9:58 amI've been reading a lot of bread books lately -- a lot -- and each year brings more. What follows is a brief list of books that would help any aspiring baker as well as a couple of other cookbooks that have caught my eye. Inside the Jewish Bakery, Stanley Ginsberg and Norman Berg For anyone interested in classic Jewish American baking, this book shouldn't be missed. It has all the recipes you'd want, but what makes the book stand out are the essays about Jewish baking. Who knew, for instance, that marble rye may have evolved out of an Eastern European practice of adding… -
Winter garden bounty in Washington D.C.
14 Dec 2011 | 9:00 amI harvested a bunch of Asian greens and lettuce last Saturday, having planted them in September and October. This bounty was the result of a lot of potent compost I added in the early fall and an extremely mild winter in Washington D.C. The result -- a now 10-month garden this year. (I had a light row cover over everything except the cabbage). If we don't get a serious cold snap I should continue to get lettuce and spinach through the holidays. That big cabbage (over 7-1/2 pounds) will make a lot of kimchi! Pictured below (clockwise from left): Bok choi, mizuna, napa cabbage and…
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Culinate Main Feed
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Russ Parsons and his cookbook collection — The rare and the signed
28 Jan 2012 | 12:18 amIn mid-January, Los Angeles Times food editor Russ Parsons published a meditation on his cookbook collection, focusing not on the cookbooks he used the most but on those he treasured the most — the rare, the unusual, the funky, and above all, the signed first editions that had serendipitously made their way onto his shelves. Whose autographs does Parsons cherish the most? James Beard, Richard Olney, and Paula Wolfert, among others. Later, Parsons asked readers to add their own favorites in comments on a blog post. Check ‘em out for even more obscure suggestions and vintage treasures. from… -
Pesticides and honey bees — A study shows just how bad it can get for bees
27 Jan 2012 | 12:16 amAmong the myriad troubles afflicting honey bees — including parasites, a mysterious ailment called Colony Collapse Disorder, and the possibility of a fungus and a virus working together to attack bees — pesticides have always been considered an obvious threat. Now comes a Purdue University study documenting direct damage to honey bees from pesticides. The vector? Harmless talc, which is used to help coat corn, soy, and cotton seeds with pesticides, but then gets blown into the air during planting. And because the pesticides are so concentrated on the seeds, honey bees get up to 700,000… -
The Costco universe — The megaretailer, by the numbers
25 Jan 2012 | 3:25 pmPatricia Marx, the New Yorker’s shopping reporter — yes, such a thing exists — recently wrote about shopping for groceries in NYC. Tacked on at the end of a typical roundup of high-end foodie destinations (Fairway, Citarella, Dean & DeLuca) was a fascinating look at Costco, the national warehouse discounter that sells everything from gasoline and hot dogs to bulk toilet tissue and diamonds. Nope, you can’t read the full article online, but here are the stunning numbers:Last year, in its 596 outlets, Costco sold 92 million hot-dog-and-drink combinations at $1.50 each (the same… -
What supermarkets get right — Bounty and possibility
25 Jan 2012 | 1:04 pmI’m all lost in the supermarket I can no longer shop happily I came in here for the special offer Guaranteed personalityThe Clash’s song “Lost in the Supermarket” speaks to the urban alienation epitomized by that giant of the modern landscape, the grocery store. People love to hate the supermarket. It’s bland. It’s corporate. It’s impersonal. But as alienating as it is, it’s also comforting. The supermarket is always there for you, a comfort and joy in its predictability and optimism.Supermarkets present an enticing vision of bounty and possibility. They are a place where I am… -
Oily aftermath — Oil spills mean fish kills
24 Jan 2012 | 1:55 pmNearly two years after the BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, the relevant food science is starting to come in, and yes, it’s bad. As the Los Angeles Times reported, exposure to oil and then to sunlight has been documented to destroy fish embryos, a phenomenon known as phototoxicity:In the wake of BP’s 2010 Deepwater Horizon blowout in the Gulf of Mexico . . . much of the spilled oil stayed at depth, but that which did rise through the water column could have produced phototoxic effects that are still unknown and unstudied.Will there be fish in the Gulf in the future? Stay tuned. from…
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Eden Foods - Newest Recipes
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Vegetable Tempura
6 Jan 2012 | 10:07 amTo prepare the tempura batter, combine the flours and sea salt in a small mixing bowl. Combine the kuzu and water in a measuring cup, mixing until the kuzu dissolves. Whisk the dry and liquid ingredients together until most of the lumps have dissolved. Place the batter in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes. Cold batter results in crispier tempura. Heat the oil in a heavy deep frying pot. When the oil is hot, dip 5 to 7 pieces of vegetables into the batter completely coating them. Place the batter coated vegetables into the hot oil and deep fry until golden and crispy on each side. Make sure not… -
Cinnamon Rolls
7 Dec 2011 | 3:11 pmPreheat the oven to 350°. Combine the two flours, salt and baking powder in a mixing bowl and mix. Place the oil and Edensoy in a blender and pulse for 1 minute. Combine the blended oil and Edensoy with the flour mixture. Form into a ball of dough. Lightly flour a counter top or pastry board and roll out the dough, as you would if making a pie crust. Sprinkle the cinnamon over the rolled dough. Pour the maple syrup on the dough and spread evenly over the dough with a spoon or spatula. Sprinkle the nuts over the syrup and cinnamon. Roll up in a jelly roll fashion. Seal the ends of the roll… -
Apple Strawberry Kanten
7 Dec 2011 | 2:59 pmPlace the juice, salt and agar in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the flame to medium-low and simmer about 15 to 20, stirring frequently until the agar flakes dissolve. Remove from the flame and allow to cool for 15 minutes. While the juice is cooling, slice the strawberries and place them in a glass or ceramic cassarole dish. When the juice is is slightly cooled, pour it over the fruit. Place in the refrigerator and chill for about 1 hour or so until gelled. Remove, slice and serve. -
Tahini Garlic Lemon Dressing
2 Dec 2011 | 7:42 amPlace all ingredients in a blender and pulse several seconds to blend. Place in a glass jar, cap and refrigerate. Will keep several days. Use on salads, falaffel, pita pocket sandwiches, etc. Yields:2/3 cup -
Almond Popcorn Balls
2 Dec 2011 | 7:34 amPop corn according to package directions and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the almonds. Place the syrups in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the flame to medium-low and simmer, stirring constantly for about 5 to 7 minutes. Pour the hot syrup over the popcorn and almonds. Mix thoroughly until all the popcorn and almonds are covered with syrup. Preheat the oven to 350°. Place the popcorn on a baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes. With a spatula, loosen the popcorn from the baking sheet to prevent sticking. Place 1 cup cold water in a bowl. Lightly moisten your hands with water.
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ScienceDaily: Organic Chemistry News
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Kitchen gadget inspires scientist to make more effective plastic electronics
27 Jan 2012 | 1:09 pmA kitchen gadget that vacuum seals food in plastic inspired a physicist to improve the performance of organic transistors for potential use in video displays. -
Scientists map one of life's molecular mysteries: Visualisation of the molecular gateway across and into cellular membranes
26 Jan 2012 | 11:37 amAll living organisms are made up of cells, behind these intricate life forms lie complex cellular processes that allow our bodies to function. Researchers working on protein secretion -- a fundamental process in biology -- have revealed how protein channels in the membrane are activated by special signals contained in proteins destined for secretion. The results help explain the underlying mechanism responsible for the release of proteins such as hormones and antibodies into the blood stream. -
Chemists synthesize artificial cell membrane
25 Jan 2012 | 12:28 pmChemists have taken an important step in making artificial life forms from scratch. Using a novel chemical reaction, they have created self-assembling cell membranes, the structural envelopes that contain and support the reactions required for life. Instead of complex enzymes embedded in membranes, they used a simple metal ion as the catalyst. By assembling an essential component of earthly life with no biological precursors, they hope to illuminate life's origins. -
Under the electron microscope: 3-D image of an individual protein showing structure
25 Jan 2012 | 8:13 amScientists are reporting the first 3-D images of an individual protein ever obtained with enough clarity to determine its structure. -
New material to remove radioactive gas from spent nuclear fuel
24 Jan 2012 | 1:03 pmResearch by chemists could impact worldwide efforts to produce clean, safe nuclear energy and reduce radioactive waste. They have used metal-organic frameworks to capture and remove volatile radioactive gas from spent nuclear fuel.
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We Like It Raw
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Checkin’ in with Courtney Pool!
27 Jan 2012 | 9:12 amToday I am thrilled to be featuring Courtney Pool and her new book, The Spirulina Recipes ebook (http://spirulinajunkie.com/spirulina-recipes-ebook/ .) If you don’t know who Courtney is, here’s a little background on this awesome woman! For over 5 years, Courtney worked with Dr Gabriel Cousens at The Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center in Patagonia, Arizona. She taught nutrition and cleansing classes as well as being in charge of social media, PR and marketing. She is Juice Feasting and Live Foods Nutrition Coach (http://www.juicefeasting.com/). She writes about raw food nutrition,… -
To Juice or Blend? That is the question....
27 Jan 2012 | 7:21 amAlong with the question of “Which blender or juicer do you recommend?” I am often asked which is better, juicing or blending? This is a great question! My answer is BOTH! They really can’t be compared. It would be like comparing weight training to ballet. Juicing Juicing removes the pulp and leaves you with the nutrients and water. When juicing you are able to maximize the nutrient content with a very quick and efficient delivery system. Nutrients are absorbed directly into the body without having to be broken down as with smoothies or whole food. With… -
Healthy Relationships & Touch
25 Jan 2012 | 4:23 pmHealthy Relationships Healing isn’t always about what we put in our mouth. Food is just one source of nourishment. We are fed by the richness in our lives as much or more than the food we eat. Healthy relationships, physical activity, a rewarding career and a spiritual practice are soul satisfying and critical in having a balanced and truly healthy life. As a Holistic Health Counselor from the Institute for Integrated Nutrition, we call these Primary Foods. They are the richest source of nourishment we have. Actual food we eat, is called Secondary Food. When we are starved for joy,… -
Sugar, The Sweet, Sweet Poison
24 Jan 2012 | 9:07 pmDealing With Sugar Addictions Sugar addictions are something I have personally dealt with all my life. As a child I was rewarded with sugar, given sugar to stay quiet, sugar as a bribe and grew up on sugary breakfast cereal. I would raid the cookie jar, literally, at night. I risked punishment to get to the candy drawer. I could sniff it out anywhere! I was addicted to one of the most potent drugs by the time I was 5. Sound familiar? It’s a wonder we all survived! I finally broke my addiction due to blood sugar fluctuations seriously affecting my moods. It was a challenge! However, this… -
Healing Mood Disorders with Food
23 Jan 2012 | 7:08 pm"Let food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food" Hippocrates With the increase of people affected by depression and mood disorders rising to nearly 20 million just in the US alone, so have the number of prescriptions for antidepressant medications written. However, we have also seen that these medications often produce undesirable and often devastating side effects. There have been countless reports of violence, suicide, insomnia, psychosis, anxiety and more. Furthermore, it’s been shown that these medications are often not even effective, and only work for about 30% of the people…
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FoodieTots.com
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Egg Drop Soup (Happy Chinese New Year)
23 Jan 2012 | 9:28 amMy son has been obsessed lately with preparations for the Chinese (Lunar) New Year. They’ve learned songs and made decorations at school and will be having a family potluck next week. To kick things off at home, we made paper lanterns and egg drop soup yesterday. He’s also asked for “uncut noodles” (symbolizing longevity) and fried dumplings or egg rolls. Eggs — specifically tea eggs — are served to symbolize wealth and prosperity. Check out last year’s post on PBS Kitchen Explorers for more on the food traditions of Chinese New Year and an egg roll… -
Grapefruit Avocado Salad
5 Jan 2012 | 6:19 amI once had the fortune to ride out a Florida hurricane at my great aunt’s house. How was this fortuitous, you may ask. Well for starters, I was with my uncle and aunt. Like any good son of an Italian mother, my uncle cooked up a storm as long as the power held out — there was pasta, scallops, and more. And in the backyard of the house, there were avocado trees. The fruits were strewn across the yard after the storm passed (thankfully, there was no serious damage in the neighborhood), and I flew back home several days later with a suitcase partially filled with fresh fallen… -
Individual Baked Eggs for New Years Day
30 Dec 2011 | 7:26 pmOnce kids enter the picture, New Year’s Eve bashes tend to shift earlier, or vanish altogether, often replaced by cozy evenings at home. Truthfully, I don’t mind too much. When I was growing up, we would get together with close family friends, play games, eat junk food (potato chips and dip) and wait for the Times Square ball to drop. At 5-years and 18-months, the foodie tots haven’t reached the staying-up-till-midnight phase yet, so we’re planning to celebrate with them on London time before sending them off to bed so mama and daddy can enjoy some quiet (and maybe a… -
Homemade Holiday: Cider Snap Cookies
8 Dec 2011 | 12:01 pmThe weather here’s been more wet and dreary than crisp and wintery of late, so comfort food in the form of holiday baking has definitely been in order. I’ve had a cider-based cookie in mind ever since I made boiled cider for those doughnuts a while back. I was envisioning something a little more crisp than your typical apple cookie, so I decided to substitute the boiled cider for molasses in a spiced cookie, resulting in a lighter, more soft and mellow ginger snap type treat. Recipe: Cider Snap Cookies Adapted from Martha Stewart Ingredients: 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1… -
At Market: 4 Ingredient Kale Salad
2 Dec 2011 | 1:11 pmHopefully by now you’ve consumed the last of your Thanksgiving leftovers, and perhaps you’ve already plunged head first into holiday baking. Me, I need a little time to detox, especially as I’m still coming off the dairy binge that was my November visit to Wisconsin. And there’s no better way to cleanse your diet than with this super simple massaged kale salad. (Look for kale at the farmers markets — it’s one of the heartier greens that can be grown after weaker varieties have called it quits for the winter.) I’d seen massaged kale salads around the…
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Mambo Sprouts - Organic recipes, coupons and healthy lifestyle options.
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Organic Beauty Essentials
26 Jan 2012 | 3:02 pmDid you know that the average U.S. consumer uses up to 10 cosmetic products each day, including makeup, soap, shampoo, lotion, hair gel, and fragrance? As a result, according to Lisa Archer─national coordinator for The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics─people may be exposed to 126 different chemicals daily, many of which haven’t been properly tested for safety. While health-conscious individuals might purchase organic food to reduce their exposure to harmful pesticides and other chemicals, they don’t always consider personal care products. Yet, the same principle applies, since your… -
3 Keys to an Organic, Toxin-Free Household
24 Jan 2012 | 10:24 amDo you have an organic household? This might be defined as a home that goes beyond organic foods to include other non-toxic, organic, and/or green alternatives. These 3 keys to creating a healthier, safer living space are easy, don’t cost much, and can really make a difference: Go BPA-free Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used to make a clear, polycarbonate plastic for products like eyeglass lenses, DVDs, baby bottles, and interior lining for canned goods. BPA has been linked to various health problems, including breast and prostate cancer, obesity, and ADHD. How can you reduce your… -
How to Go Organic on a Budget
23 Jan 2012 | 10:22 amIf you’re committed to providing your family with organically grown/produced foods, but worry about the higher price tag compared to conventional items, take heart. The cost of USDA certified organic foods will eventually come down. Meanwhile, there are clever ways to save along the way. For example: Invest where it matters most By now you may be familiar with the “Dirty Dozen,” a list created by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) targeting produce with the highest levels of pesticide residues. These include: apples, celery, strawberries, peaches, spinach, nectarines… -
5 Ways Kids Benefit from Eating Organic
19 Jan 2012 | 8:38 amMany families are selecting organic foods on a more regular basis, which is especially good news for kids. According to the National Research Council (NRC), children are not adequately protected from pesticides in their diet. Here are 5 ways children benefit from eating organic whenever possible: Better for their body weight and size Children tend to consume more fruits, vegetables and juices than adults do relative to their body weight. Yet, the majority of tests conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set acceptable risk levels for pesticide residues were done on adult… -
Why Do Organic Foods Cost More?
11 Jan 2012 | 3:09 pmPeople who regularly purchase organic foods often find them to be more expensive than similar conventional items. However, not everyone understands exactly why producing food in a more sustainable, environmentally friendly manner should cost more. We hope to shed some light on this. For example: The price of organic foods reflects the production costs involved. Clearly, more labor and management are required when farmers don’t use chemicals to manage weeds and pests. Unlike conventional growers, organic farmers do not use sewage sludge or chemical fertilizers, which are both cheap to buy…
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Simple, Good and Tasty
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Twelve Bags for Soup?
27 Jan 2012 | 7:00 amAnyone who knows me or read my article challenging consumers to be more conscious about packaging knows that I am always trying to use less and less. I suppose until I see more people hauling around coffee mugs and saying no to unnecessary bags, I will always be encouraging more thoughtfulness. I was thinking along these lines the other day as Kadin (my 6 year old son) and I were riding the bus and had to stop at the grocery store. It was one of those moments when you aren't prepared for a shopping trip (I had a handle bag with me, but no other containers or sacks). Dinner time was fast… -
Ace and Other Magnificent (Fainting) Goats
26 Jan 2012 | 7:00 amAce was magnificent. His thick, cocoa colored fur rose to a spikey crest down his backbone and his curved horns were ridged, thick and powerful. Although he resembled a thug, equipped with Mohawk and weapons, he had a gentle disposition and would tip over when startled, just like the rest of the herd: Ace was a Tennessee Fainting Goat. Doug and I had discussed getting goats when we first arrived at the farm. Goats are small, friendly and can provide fiber, dairy products or meat. We decided on meat goats (since goats’ meat is the most widely eaten meat in the world, and is considered a… -
Eat for Equity: A Fundraiser for the People
24 Jan 2012 | 7:00 amOn an evening in mid October we pulled our car into a neighborhood in Northeast Minneapolis. As we stepped out into one of the first really crisp fall nights of the season we followed a crowd of people walking from parked cars and bikes to a well lit house. Brazenly parked in front of the house was a school bus with the words "Sister Camelot" painted on the side. Inside the bus was a fully equipped kitchen where a feast was being prepared. Though I was tempted to stay outside and investigate, it was quite chilly so I made my way through the gathering of people into the house where the Eat For… -
The Latin Tongue: El Guayaquil
23 Jan 2012 | 7:00 amRead why we are doing this in our intro article.This week, we made a big mistake. Charles and I met at the corner of Lake St and Bloomington Ave without a plan. "Let's just walk around and pick a spot to eat," we told each other. Anyone who has spent even a little time at this intersection knows how preposterous this is. There are three Mexican super mercados and no less than 12 latin eateries within three city blocks. How we decided upon El Guayaquil is still a mystery. After wandering through the Mercado Central and then peering in each and every window of the places on Lake Street, we… -
A Tropical Staycation: Blackened Grilled Walleye & Pineapple-Ginger Juice
20 Jan 2012 | 7:00 amWhen it's cold outside, I like to find retreat in my kitchen. The warmth of the oven, from spices and from just simply moving in the cuisine-creating space can really feel like a loving hug when I need one. Just this past November, I went on a yoga workshop week in Belize, it was fantastic (shocker I'm sure). Finding myself in mid-month January in Minnesota, although we have had a mild winter thus far, I think to myself that perhaps I jumped the gun on my tropical getaway. As I reminisce of the fresh catch-of-the-day crisp and warm off the grill and the warm sun on my skin as I lay in a…
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Cooking Up a Story
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Alan Kapuler: Man of Science, Ideas, and Humanity part 4 (video)
24 Jan 2012 | 6:00 amThe garden is not just a garden. The garden is a metaphor for having a place to develop an ethical way to understand life, and to make a life that is ethical. —Alan KapulerIf there were an intergalactic spacecraft capable of carrying but one life safely in search of contact with other sentient beings, my vote would be for Alan Kapuler to be humanity’s ambassador to the cosmos. Leading a lifetime of work devoted to organic gardening and open pollinated plant breeding in the public interest, Kapuler, a molecular biologist by training, poetically expresses his reverence for all living… -
Factory Farms: Animal Welfare, No Legal Protections 2 (video)
17 Jan 2012 | 6:00 amIn part 2, Kathy Hessler, Director of the Animal Law Clinic at Lewis and Clark Law School in Portland (Oregon), discusses some of the important work that is being done to try and address the problems associated with factory farms. According to Hessler, this effort involves a large coalition of folks from different states, as well as internationally.From the video, these are some of the important areas of concern where the laws need strengthening:Environmental concerns: Massive manure lagoons pose threats not only to surface waters (rivers, tributaries, etc.) but also to groundwater supplies… -
Factory Farms: Animal Welfare, No Legal Protections (video)
10 Jan 2012 | 2:00 pmEditorialIn this Friends of Family Farmer’s sponsored talk, Kathy Hessler, Director of the Animal Law Clinic at Lewis and Clark Law School in Portland (Oregon), discusses the important subject of factory farms in relation to animal welfare protections under existing federal and state laws.In a nutshell, livestock in America do not enjoy any protections under the law; they enjoy the same rights as a personal kitchen toaster. There are no federal laws, including federal and state animal anti-cruelty laws, that apply to farm animals. One small exception applies to the transportation of… -
Farmer Don: Ode to a Small Family Farmer
9 Jan 2012 | 6:00 amDon Wachlin, Fourth Generation Farmer; Schlichting Century FarmsJanuary 8, 2012, Sherwood, Oregon. A packed crowd of friends and family gathered for the ceremony at the local Lutheran church where Don Wachlin (to us, Farmer Don) was to be buried in the small cemetery lot, a mere few hundred yards from the church his ancestors helped to build.Strawberry Picking at Schlichting Century FarmsWe had come to know Farmer Don from doing a story on him and his century old family farm in the Fall of 2007. Immediately, he stood out as a natural born storyteller. Since then, almost every year, our family… -
Mother Nature’s Own Weapons of Mass Destruction
4 Jan 2012 | 6:00 amThe year was 2004, and I happened to be sitting in an audience listening to Robert Webster, a world-renowned flu expert, and virologist at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. He was talking about a relatively new strain of avian flu virus that was killing wild birds, poultry, and mammals, including some humans, at an astonishing rate of speed, in small animals, sometimes in a matter of hours. Believed to have originated in southern China’s Guangdong Province, in 1997, the virus suddenly began infecting humans in Hong Kong, and later turning up in Southeast…
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Natural Health Ezine
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The Best Flowers For Romance
26 Jan 2012 | 9:42 amThis article, The Best Flowers For Romance, was originally published at Natural Health Ezine.Many flowers have traditionally been associated with romance throughout the centuries. Rose is perhaps the most well known of romantic flowers. However, did you know that there are several species of other flowers which are also associated with romance – and which also have therapeutic benefits? Herbs Which Were Used in Weddings Today we might not associate herbs with weddings and romance but historically several herbs were used in weddings as part of bridal bouquets or bridal crowns. Herbs such… -
Cheddar Potato Soup Recipe
23 Jan 2012 | 12:57 pmThis article, Cheddar Potato Soup Recipe, was originally published at Natural Health Ezine.Nothing warms body and soul in January more than a simmering pot of soup. No wonder it has been dubbed National Soup Month. Making a pot of soup involves more than haphazardly throwing a bunch of ingredients into a pot of water and hoping for the best. I carefully choose each ingredient. Texture and color matter. Taste and smell matter. Everything matters. My soup is art. The Stock Soup begins with a quality stock—never out of a jar, can, or box; and certainly not water with bouillon cubes added. To… -
How To Use Lavender To Help Your Baby Sleep
19 Jan 2012 | 9:26 amThis article, How To Use Lavender To Help Your Baby Sleep, was originally published at Natural Health Ezine.Lavender is one of the most popular scents and has been around since antiquity. It has been used throughout history for various medicinal ailments. It is a gentle aroma that seems to bring a sense of comfort and calm to the majority of people who come into contact with it; for this reason alone, lavender is ideal to use with baby. There are a couple of ways that you can use lavender as a natural remedy to help calm baby – and get a good night’s sleep! About Lavender Lavender… -
Causes and Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
16 Jan 2012 | 10:26 amThis article, Causes and Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, was originally published at Natural Health Ezine.Compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel of the forearm causes carpal tunnel syndrome. The carpal tunnel is a space in the wrist surrounded by bones and ligaments that hold the bones together. Running up this tunnel is the median nerve and the tendons responsible for flexing the fingers. Often caused by lifestyle habits, carpal tunnel syndrome can manifest itself in different ways. However, the treatment measures for this debilitating condition are the same, no… -
The Difference Between Rose and Rose Geranium
12 Jan 2012 | 10:05 amThis article, The Difference Between Rose and Rose Geranium, was originally published at Natural Health Ezine.Roses and rose geraniums are not the same flower; although they both have health benefits, roses and rose geraniums have different botanical names, belong to different plant families and are composed differently. Here is a short profile of each type of plant species, highlighting the difference between a rose and a rose geranium. Botanical Profile of Rose There are many, many species of roses but the main species of roses that are used for medicinal purposes are Damask rose (Rosa…
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About.com Organic Gardening
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New USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map - Has Your Zone Changed?
25 Jan 2012 | 5:54 amThis morning, the USDA released its new Plant Hardiness Zone Map (which you can see here.) About half of all the zones in the U.S. moved a half-zone warmer than they were on the previous map....Read Full Post -
Vegetables to Sow in January
21 Jan 2012 | 7:29 amJanuary marks the beginning of the indoor seed-starting season for those of us in zone 6 and above. While the pickings are slim for me still (onions and parsley), it will be so nice to have something green under my grow lights again. Below are a few links to help you get started with seed sowing:...Read Full Post -
Do You Use Manure Tea in Your Garden?
15 Jan 2012 | 5:42 amI've hit that point in winter during which I start obsessing about the garden. Daydreaming, planning, re-planning, highlighting things to order... all fun, of course, but not nearly as fun as actually digging in my garden. I've got cabin fever, badly....Read Full Post -
One More Reason to Vermicompost
5 Jan 2012 | 1:57 amIf you've ever started plants from seed, only to find your healthy seedlings suddenly drooping, shriveled shells of their former selves, then you know very well what "damping off" is. Damping off is a fungal disease that causes your seedlings to wither and die shortly after germination. A long-standing practice has been to water seedlings with chamomile tea to prevent damping off, but gardeners now have a more potent tool in their arsenal: worm poo....Read Full Post -
Happy New Year!
31 Dec 2011 | 5:54 amI wanted to take a moment and thank all of you for helping to make 2011 a great year. I hope the articles you've read here at About Organic Gardening have helped you grow better, solve problems in your garden, and really enjoy the fruits of your labor. I'm looking forward to a great 2012!...Read Full Post
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Pleasant Valley Farm
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On the Road
23 Jan 2012 | 12:06 pmJanuary is just flying by! Dan and I took advantage of the winter slowdown by actually taking a vacation! We visited both his parents and my mother. It was fun to spend time with them and take some time to relax. (any morning when you don't have to get up and do chores is relaxing!) We were gone for nearly two weeks, and I honestly can't remember the last time we were away that long. Dan's brother did a great job of taking care of the place for us, and other than the sheep deciding that they wanted to live in the front yard rather than the pasture, all… -
Taking Inventory
2 Jan 2012 | 1:52 pmThe first real winter storm has hit the farm. It's cold out, the wind is blowing and I can barely see the woods line from where I type, meaning visibility is not good at all. It's a good day to take on indoor tasks, and after I finished sweeping up the mud on the kitchen floor again, I needed another project for the day. Strangely enough, seeing all this blowing snow gets me excited to start thinking about the 2012 garden. I enjoy sitting on the couch or near the woodburner, perusing the seed catalogs with a highlighter and a pen and notebook to begin creating a wish… -
Reflections of 2011
27 Dec 2011 | 11:45 amA gentle snow is falling here at the farm. The animals take it all in stride. We tried to bring the horses into the barn last night for a warm bed & a manger full of hay, but they preferred to stay outside. Even now, with more than a dusting of snow on their backs as I look out my kitchen window, they are standing contentedly just beyond the pond. The cows are black shapes through the flakes in the pasture up by the woods. The warmth of wool is evident on the sheep's backs, as they have much more snow on them than the goats do. Even the turkeys are carrying little white patches on them as… -
Our Virtual Reality
12 Dec 2011 | 8:22 amIt's December, the stand is closed for the year. The farm lies blanketed in a dusting of snow. It's easy to imagine that the farm has been put to bed for the year, as there is little to no activity to be seen outdoors except for the animals grazing on the last of the pasture grass for the year.But winter brings a different set of activities for us here at the farm, ones that are less likely to be noticed as someone drives by the farm. It's getting cold enough that we're bringing in the horses at night, and the cows will follow soon as well. That means lots more stall… -
Turkey Time
18 Nov 2011 | 11:30 amAre you ready for Thanksgiving yet? Me neither. Although there are always lots of things keeping us busy here on the farm, right now seems especially hectic. We have only 3 more days where the stand will be open- tomorrow and next Saturday, along with special Tuesday hours. As the season is short and Thanksgiving is near, I have lots of orders to organize. Christmas hams are being picked up now. Also, our last day coincides with an influx of visitors to the area coming up for deer hunting season, and I've already got orders for that as well. Keeping track of who is…
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Honest to Goodness - Organic Food Sydney, Healthy Food, Wholefood, Home delivery Australia
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Healthy food, healthy kids…back to school tips!
24 Jan 2012 | 11:12 pmFor the first time since 1995, the 2007-08 Australian National Health Survey (NHS) has measured the height, weight, hip and waist circumference of respondents aged 5 years or more. Results from this survey reveal that in 2007-08, 61.4% of the Australian population were either overweight or obese. For children and adolescents, the survey results indicate that 24.9% of children aged 5 – 17 years are overweight or obese. 25.8% of boys and 24.0% of girls are either overweight or obese. If weight gain continues down this path, by the year 2020, 80% of all Australian adults and 1/3 of all… -
Wise up to weight loss: one change at a time
19 Jan 2012 | 8:08 pmIt’s a new year and it’s time to start making some changes to end unhealthy eating and exercise habits, one small change at a time. The call comes as the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) launches Australia’s Healthy Weight Week (AHWW) this Sunday. The week aims to kick-start a new year of making better food choices and becoming more active in order to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Events are held around the country to promote the importance of a healthy weight. Young women aged 18-25 are the main target for this year’s AHWW campaign. Rates of weight gain in this… -
Chia seed porridge with homemade almond milk
12 Jan 2012 | 3:50 pmGuest blog post by Linda Wells, from Its Up To You. Welcome 2012 – let’s talk about digestion! With the silly (stupid, crazy, unthinkable) season over, now is the time to rescue our body’s digestive system and get things back on track. I’ve been thinking of putting a ‘cheese detector’ on my front door, that way if any one comes with more triple brie or d’Affinois I can simply pretend to not be home! I wouldn’t normally even eat the crackers let alone the cheese, but this season saw me eat ridiculous things – even pavlova – which was sublime by the way, made from… -
Bircher Muesli – the original healthy breakfast
5 Jan 2012 | 10:33 pmBircher Muesli is a low GI, fibre rich and highly nutritious breakfast option, making it the perfect start to your healthy 2012! What is Bircher Muesli? This muesli recipe was originally developed by Swiss nutritionist Dr.Bircher-Benner in the 1900’s for his patients, as part of his healing therapy. He believed that a diet rich in raw and natural ingredients dramatically improved his patient’s health. The key to bircher muesli is the soaking overnight, to reduce indigestible phytic acids found in grains, improving the digestion and absorption of this nutrient dense muesli! Health benefits… -
Our Christmas Goodness Gift…
22 Dec 2011 | 9:20 pm2011 has nearly come to an end. It is time to reflect on the year that has been, but also an exciting chance to look ahead at the year to come! There are going to be some exciting and BIG developments at Honest to Goodness in 2012! A taste of what’s to come…a new and unique website with endless possibilities…innovative and unqiue new products will be released…some will be firsts in Australia! Have we teased you too much?! Our Christmas Gift… Instead of sending standard Christmas cards & treats this year, we decided to give a gift of goodness to a chosen…
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simple.green.organic.happy.
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Saint Bernard Puppy Update
26 Jan 2012 | 8:01 amSaint Bernard puppy surprised by her first snowfall camera? inside. Yeah, I wrote you puppy haiku. Late last Friday night was Karma’s first snow. If you weren’t outside that night, it was that really cold snow where each fallen snowflake is perfect and whole; so crystallized that you could hear the snowflakes colliding with each other and crashing to the ground. Karma was afraid to come outside at first and then spent ten minutes snapping ineffectually at the swirling air. I hadn’t realized it was snowing before I opened the door to let her out, so no camera on hand. -
Patagonia: Eco Fashion is Ethical Fashion
21 Jan 2012 | 11:47 amBecause the greenest product is the one that already exists. -from the Patagonia website Patagonia is a clothing company that’s taking sustainability seriously. I’ve been meaning to write about them ever since they ran an ad on Black Friday that read “Don’t buy this jacket,” with this copy: The environmental cost of everything we make is astonishing. Consider the R2 Jacket shown, one of our best sellers. To make it required 135 liters of water, enough to meet the daily needs (three glasses a day) of 45 people. Its journey from its origin as 60% recycled polyester… -
I am a Walking Contradiction and I am OK with That. (Quiet: the Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking)
19 Jan 2012 | 12:13 amYou once said that you would like to sit beside me while I write. Listen, in that case I could not write at all. For writing means revealing oneself to excess; that utmost of self-revelation and surrender, in which a human being, when involved with others, would feel he was losing himself, and from which, therefore, he will always shrink as long as he is in his right mind… That is why one can never be alone enough when one writes, why there can never be enough silence around one when one writes, why even night is not night enough. Franz Kafka, as quoted in ‘Quiet: the Power of…
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livingmaxwell: a guide to organic food & drink
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Cornucopia Institute Requests that the USDA National Organic Program be Investigated for Corruption Charges over its Approval of Synthetic DHA and ARA Supplements
26 Jan 2012 | 1:13 pmLet me say right up front that I support the USDA’s national organic certification program. Why? Because it is the only nationally-recognized and accepted system we have in place for organic standards. I firmly believe that the more people we have participating and engaged in the system, the stronger it will become. Conversely, the more people who opt out of the system, the weaker it will become. That being said, it is by no means perfect. And just as is in every other area of our society, big companies in the organic sector use lobbyists in Washington D.C. to enact policies that will… -
Beet Kvass – What is it and Why am I Drinking it?
24 Jan 2012 | 5:57 pmOrganic beet kvass isn’t exactly a household name, similar to a coconut water or even kombucha. And I don’t believe that it will ever come close to having the same name recognition as these other two drinks. Yet, its health benefits and utility may surpass them both. A lacto-fermented beverage of Russian origin, beet kvass provides the body with beneficial bacteria and aids in digestion. It is also touted as a blood purifier and an excellent way to cleanse the liver. Unlike kombucha, which uses sugar in the fermentation process, the beet kvass from Hawthorne Valley uses no sugar… -
My Friday Night Dinner at The Natural Gourmet Institute in NYC
23 Jan 2012 | 3:00 pmThe Natural Gourmet Institute, a cooking school in NYC that places a very strong emphasis on organic, hosts Friday night dinners that are open to the public. I had been hearing very good things about these fixed-price, four-course dinners at The Natural Gourmet Institute and finally decided to check it out last week. Here’s what I had: HIJIKI CAVIAR BLINI This was a very clever use of hijiki, a sea vegetable that I enjoy a lot. WALDORF SALAD & MUSHROOM CONSOMME WITH GARLIC TOAST While the salad may appear to have a heavy cream sauce, the dressing is actually dairy-free and made from… -
A Fantastic Tasting Organic Dinner for Two for Under $15…Here’s How
20 Jan 2012 | 1:17 pmThe one criticism that I hear all of the time about organic is that it costs too much. Yet, if you take the time to shop correctly and cook at home, organic can definitely be affordable. Here is how the costs broke down to make this great tasting quinoa dinner, and every single ingredient was organic. COST OF EACH INGREDIENT FROM THE STORE Before I cooked, I went to my local organic market and bought the following items. Organic Cherry Tomoatoes: $4.19 Organic Spring Mix: $2.48 Organic Avocado: $1.49 Organic Walnuts: $1.36 Organic Quinoa:$1.32 Total Store Items – $10.84 COST OF… -
IMPORTANT: Brand New Video for the “Just Label It” Campaign and Recap of Yesterday’s Conference Call
19 Jan 2012 | 1:48 pmYesterday, I was on the media conference call for Just Label It, the nationwide campaign to get genetically-modified foods (GMOs) labeled. On the call we saw a preview of the fantastic new Just Label It video (WATCH BELOW) and we also heard from: * Gary Hirshberg, Chairman of Stonyfield, who recently resigned as CEO to dedicate more time to this very important cause. * Robyn O’Brien, leading food safety advocate and author of the acclaimed book The Unhealthy Truth: One Mother’s Shocking Investigation into the Dangers of America’s Food Supply — and What Every Family Can…
