Tuesday, January 29th, 2008
In celebration of the Patriots historic season I thought it would be fun to create a regional specialty for my Super Bowl party - baked beans. Traditionally, baked beans are the supper item on Saturday nights in New England. I am not sure if that is still the case, but it is for sure that Boston is known as Beantown (although I have read that locals do not call it that.) As I was doing a little web research on baked bean history I stumbled onto a Saveur article about a specialty sandwich that would be perfect Super Bowl eats. Baked beans are the star of the sandwich so let’s begin there. (more…)
Posted in anytime recipes | No Comments »
Friday, January 25th, 2008
I make stocks a couple of times a week; it takes very little time and when I am finished I have nutritious, delicious liquids to add to soups, stews, sauces and grains.
In “Broth is Beautiful”, Sally Fallon of the Weston A. Price Foundation goes into detail about the history and health benefits of stock and also provides a comprehensive recipe and tips. I won’t inundate you with the same material, but instead let me offer some tips on what has made stock-making a little easier to fit into my life. (more…)
Posted in anytime recipes | 2 Comments »
Thursday, January 24th, 2008
Each person is bio-chemically unique, and our ancestry and our environment should inform the decisions we make about the food we eat. This food philosophy is something that works for me – and it may or may not work for you. What I want to emphasize is that I do not advocate that this is the Right way to eat, but rather that this has been the right way for me to eat.
My food philosophy is founded upon the belief that traditional, whole foods are the best sources for optimal health and happiness. These are the foods our great-grandparent’s ate. They closely resemble their natural state and have been refined as minimally as possible. Traditional, whole foods do not come from the giant single-crop farms of agri-business sprayed with chemicals and grown in empty soils, but rather are grown on smaller farms that minimize the use of chemicals and respect the soil. Traditional, whole foods do not come from a box on a mega-mart shelf but are best when transferred directly from the farmer to you hands.
I follow a plant-based diet but I also include animal products that have been raised in a humane and sustainable manner. After years as a vegetarian, I have found that I need to incorporate diverse animal products in my diet in order to thrive. I refrain from eating animal products that have been raised inhumanely and unsustainably in factory farms.
I believe that eating is a political act. By buying from small, local farms that participate in sustainable agriculture I know that I am strengthening my community. Foods grown in a sustainable way do not strip the soils of valuable minerals or dump chemicals into our waterways. By being aware of where my food comes from, how it was grown and how it was prepared I am resisting the onslaught of marketing pressures created by corporations and big business whose only goal is profit. I vote with my fork and my goal is health and well-being for myself, my family, and the earth.
I also believe that eating should feel good and be a positive part of our day. We should enjoy the food we prepare and share it with our friends and family. I believe that we should sit at a table, light some candles, relax, and chew. Sometimes the meals I create take thirty minutes to make and sometimes they take four hours, but I have learned that it is important to take/make the time to enjoy the simple pleasure of cooking and eating.
Feelgoodeating:
Get Informed:
• The most important step to take when transforming your diet is to begin to pay attention to where your food comes from and how it was prepared. The food you eat is only as good as the quality and freshness of the ingredients.
Eat Whole, Traditional Foods:
• Eat With The Seasons.
• Eat Local, Organic, Sustainable.
• Eat the foods your great-grandparents ate.
• Eat a plant-centered diet but include animal products.
• Eat diversely; try to incorporate a range of foods into your diet.
Be Wary of Industrial/Processed/Refined “foods”:
• Foods in a bag, box, or can.
• Foods with a long shelf-life
• Ingredients that you can’t pronounce or don’t recognize.
• High-fructose corn syrup and other refined sugars.
• Factory farmed meats.
Be Kind To Yourself
• Take it slow. Changing eating habits is a developmental process. At first, changing your diet can seem overwhelming, it is important to take small steps so you don’t become overwhelmed.
• Relax. No matter how much local organic food you consume it won’t do any good if you are stressed out about it. No one is going to arrest you if you eat some potato chips now and again. Do the best you can.
• Get Moving. No matter what you eat you won’t feel good if you don’t exercise. Our bodies are built for movement.
Posted in resources | 3 Comments »
