Meat Matters, more than just in your belly!

Some of us do not like to think, or don't think, about all of the agents involved in our food system. But its important to do that, and once you know, you can change. Thinking about how increased meat consumption effects your body but also your environment is important, it will help you make healthier choices that go beyond you and effect other people, the environment, and even animals in the world.

For example increased meat consumption increases prices of grains like corn used to feed livestock, but in turn increases research on corn to make corn more plentiful and adaptable, still increasing mono-crop production, reducing diversity in our farms and food systems, increasing pesticide use, therefore more need for research, just to increase animals for meat consumption, which increases pollution in our drinking water, and antibiotics in our water, having diverse and adverse effects on us all...........................and it goes on.

Its actually a beautiful thing in my mind rather than a dooms day thing, because we actually have the power to make changes, just by changing how and where we eat and get our food from. So tomorrow if you are gonna buy some meat to eat, try getting it from your local farmer or look for food that is fairly traded, and yes, even organic you skeptics, I say organic is better than not, even if it is a muddy water concept. Change one item at a time. See how it changes the way you think, know that you are supporting a healthier world for today, and for your children to come.

Check this discussion on IFPRI.INFO called "Meat Matters" about why meat matters and some of the research too back it up.

When Diet is Wrong, Medicine is of No Use; When Diet is Correct Medicine is of No Need.

This old Ayurvedic proverb got me thinking today. How is it that we have gotten so far from our food, that even our medicine has too. Synthetic medicine, synthetic food, it plagues us in ways we don't see or taste. We have allowed our purchasing power to guide this, in an unintentional yet intentional way. Its very unfortunate, for us, and for our food as well. But its no doomsday, we can recover, we can change. And when we decide to make that change to eating in more healthful ways, we can often see results immediately. I love that about our bodies, we have the capacity to be amazing healers right inside of us. We do not need to seek help from without, our bodies have evolved for thousands of years to assist us in healing our ailments, food as evolved much in the same way to benefit us in that process. Check out this amazing New York Times article on how we are learning about our bodies capacity to heal. Tending the Body’s Microbial Garden.


So celebrate your body and the food we have all around us. I am going to make a Wild Clover Salad today and enjoy the benefits of this common 'weed' that is crazy tasty and super good for you!

So Excited for Zucchini!!!!

The zucchini in my garden are flowering right now! I am trying to be patient, but I am so excited I need to try this recipe with my home-grown zucchini. I can't wait.

Zucchini Fritters with Feta

 

1 lb zucchini, grated

1/2 tsp salt

1 shallot, thinly sliced

1 garlic clove, minced

6 small shiitake mushrooms, chopped 

2 eggs

1tbsp chopped fresh mint

150g feta, crumbled

5 tbsp homemade bread crumbs, I like to use a pepper bread or pepper crackers for this

freshly grated black pepper

salt

olive oil for frying

Put the grated zucchini in a colander, sprinkle with salt, mix and let stand for 20-30 minutes. Squeeze out any excess liquid, this makes them crispier in the end. You can however squeeze the water out right away and start the process, it just may not turn out as good, either way though its mouthwatering! 

 

In a medium bowl, combine the zucchini, mushroom, shallot, garlic, eggs, mint, feta and freshly toasted and crushed pepper bread. Season with salt and pepper.

Heat the oil in a pan over a medium heat. Form patties to your liking, and put into the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side. Transfer cooked patties on a paper towel to drain excess oil from them.

Eating for your Heart: The truth about Heart Disease from one professional to you

World Renown Heart Surgeon Speaks Out On What Really Causes Heart Disease

Well its chronic inflammation. What reduces inflammation? Eating fresh fruits and veggies [organic] EVERY SINGLE DAY, and actually having it make up the majority of your diet EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!!!!! Its quick, its simple, its easy, and its more convenient then the microwave foods, and you reduce waste if you eat simple. In most countries where mass consumption is not part of the daily grind, they eat the same, complete, healthy meal every single day. Variety is good, but its more important just to get the basics, than replace them with the crap in the freezer isle or the dried processed wired microwavable foods where you just add water. What has the world come to. That is not food people!

Here is an excellent heart healthy meal:

Arugula Salad
2 cups Fresh picked Arugula, check out your local farmers market, or grow your own!
1 T Olive oil
1 T balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup peas, you can use beans also.
Sprinkle fresh grated Parmesan or feta or goat cheese.
Add fresh ground pepper.

mix together and enjoy!

Apple Crisp, its super easy

 

You can serve this over or with meats like pork, or frozen yogurt, or regular yogurt. You can also bake this if you just put the apples and applesauce in a baking pan with the granola on top. If you want to make a pie add something like a cornstarch substitute: for 1 tablespoon, use 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon potato flour or rice flour; 4 teaspoons quick-cooking tapioca; or 2 teaspoons arrowroot. Stay as far away from all of those corn products in everyday life. Having corn products every once in a while is ok, but its seriously way too much in our everyday diet. Consuming corn products that much can lead to a variety of health problems, both gastrointestinal as well as hormonal. In my mind, you are guilty until proven innocent. In the past corn was processed differently to release essential nutrients to make it an appropriate staple in the diet. Today that process does not happen, yet it is still a staple in America’s diet. Whether we get it from soda’s and other drinks [corn syrup], or in our cereal, or in our bread and other processed foods, it’s hard to avoid.  Who in the hell thought it was a good idea to create corn oil and corn syrup. It’s just not normal or natural, it did not exist a long time ago and when you eat corn does it taste oily? NO that’s because it’s not really a good food for oil. Walnuts are, olives are, peanuts, and coconuts are, not corn!

Anyway, please enjoy this, it takes only a few minutes and it’s a great dessert that is a total crowd pleaser.

1/4 cup, unfiltered apple cider, I like braggs.

4 large sweet and sour apples – there are some amazing MI heirlooms out there, just get a variety. Leave skins on (color = good, general rule of nutrition), cut in 4’s and then slice thin, 1 centimeter or so.

2-3 cups unsweetened applesauce, probably 2, maybe some of 3.

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and some turmeric if you want to add color and benefits, and some all spice too.

1 cup granola on top. I like Nature's Path flax or hemp plus, but those are usually high in sugar. Don’t like granola? Sprinkle and pan saute nuts, walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, mixed in same spices as above but also add honey to the mix. Raw honey is best for you, has some essential trace nutrients we all need. Plus it’s a healing food.

DIRECTIONS

In a large skillet or saucepan, add cider and apples over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until apples are almost tender, about 2-3 minutes.

Next stir in spices and applesauce and heat up for about a few minutes, stirring occasionally, letting the apple sauce thicken. Remove from heat and serve warm with granola or nuts or both on top.