I saw this documentary “Food, Inc” a while back and couldn’t really get it out of my mind. Directed by Robert Kenner and narrated by Michael Pollan and Eric Schlosser.
When we walk in our supermarket aisle, we rarely think about where and how the food got here. But his film will make you think twice. Beware, there are scenes with factory farm cows that is very disturbing. But it does make you not want to eat another hamburger again.
This film explores the corporate side of farming in the U.S. They mention Monsanto and their need to genetically modify seeds (soybean and more).
Monsanto have now increased their seed prices and many farmers are not happy. Now the Obama administration is looking into it. the New York Times reported recently, “The Justice Department began an antitrust investigation of the seed industry last year, with an apparent focus on Monsanto, which controls much of the market for the expensive bioengineered traits that make crops resistant to insect pests and herbicides.”
Monsanto isn’t just doing this in the U.S. but abroad too. They even want small farmers in South America and Mexico to use and rely on their seeds. And the villagers can’t win this battle, as the corn become cross pollinated and eventually end up as part of Monsanto’s GMO plant.
A great idea is to plant heirloom variety seeds saved by gardeners. My mom usually gets her seeds from other gardening friends. Especially seeds for eggplants and hot chili pepper. Seeds of Change is another great place to get organic non-GMO seeds.
Just a few days of sunshine and we’re already eating popsicles out here in California. But these are not ordinary fruit bars, they are made from superfruits such as acai, blueberry and pomegranate.
Dreyer’s new fruit bars are made with real fruit and are a great source of antioxidants which helps fight free radicals. Superfruits have been hitting the market for years. They include fruits that are high in vitamin C and are consider to be antioxidants. It’s rare to see them made into popsicles, when they are usually sold as health supplements or juices.
These fruit bars don’t just sound good, but are good for you! It is sweet, but is also tart and tangy too. I especially prefer the acai and blueberry over the pomegranate. I assume you can whip up some of these fruit bars yourself if you can get your hands on some acai berries.
I have a cabinet full of supplements, from fish oils to CoQ10. In the past, I was never big on taking supplements or pills of any kind. But it wasn’t until I found out how effective the supplements were for my health, that I took them more regularly.
My favorite is CoQ10 as it’s not only good for your gums, it’s also good for your skin. Another great supplement is fish oils. They provide Omega 3 fatty acids are great for health and beauty (skin).
The best place to get both CoQ10 and fish oils is at Costco. The fish oils are a great deal at $10 for 400 softgels of 1,000 mg.
Other supplements I take daily is Jarrows Bone-Up. It’s a multivitamin which has calcium, vitamin C and D3 as well as other good stuff for young women.
Senator John McCain has introduced the “Dietary Supplement Safety Act”. If passed, it will drive up the cost of dietary supplements and restrict your access to them.
We need to make sure supplements are within all of our reach. This act even has a misleading title to it too. I have emailed my representative about opposing this bill. Please take action by clicking here.
Just enter your zip code to contact your local representative. It’s simple and easy to do. Exercise your right to representation!
Pomelos (sometimes refer to as pummelos) must in season this time of year, just like many other citrus fruits such as mandarins and tangerines. It’s a nice treat to find such bright orange and yellow fruits in the drab of winter. Plus the extra Vitamin C is good to have around to stay healthy.
Pomelos can easily be found at many Asian grocery stores, usually priced at $3 each. The Chinese like to have pomelos around for their new year celebration. It symbolizes abundance and prosperity. Must be due to the size of this fruit!
I thought I had seen my share of giant pomelo, until I came across this one shaped like a bowling pin.
According to Purdue University horticulture department, there are many different cultivars of pomelo grown in Thailand. This one is call “Kao Phuang or Khao Phoang” meaning ‘White tassel’. This may be the only commercial cultivar of Thailand that is in great demand. As large amounts are usually exported to Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. Although many are also grown in Indio, California.
The pummelo is native to southeastern Asia and all of Malaysia; grows wild on river banks in the Fiji and Friendly Islands. It may have been introduced into China around 100 B.C. It is much cultivated in southern China (Kwang-tung, Kwangsi and Fukien Provinces) and especially in southern Thailand on the banks to the Tha Chine River; also in Taiwan and southernmost Japan, southern India, Malaya, Indonesia, New Guinea and Tahiti. - Julia F. Morton, Purdue University
This is a World Market exclusive tea sold during the last holiday season. It is Spicy Chocolate Mint tea.
It’s good black tea made with peppermint and spices such as cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, chicory. Along with other ingredients I wouldn’t think to add to tea such as cacao kernels and coconut.
I hesitated to try this tea since I’ve never really like tea with too many spices (such as Chai). But since it’s from Republic of Tea I knew it would be good tea.
Some of my favorite tea from them is Ginger Peach Black tea and their line of White tea.
Once I poured the hot water to my cup of tea, I noticed a nice and warming scent from the spices and peppermint.
As for the taste, it’s more like black tea with peppermint. The spice is really light and you can’t really taste the chocolate or coconuts.
It’s great as breakfast tea to pair with something sweet. It’s especially good with cakes and muffin too. And possibly good tea to drink during the winter as the spices are very warming.
Chayote (pronouced cha-yoh-teh) have become more common in the vegetable stalls here in California.
The name Chayote or chocho derived from Mexico (Spanish). In the southern U.S. states, they are commonly eaten and known as mirliton or vegetable pear. Chayote are cultivated in California, Florida, and Louisiana.
The inside of a chayote looks like - the seed is the best part. It is very nutty and creamy. It’s always a treat to open up a chayote and find a huge seed in the middle.
I don’t know if it’s a fruit or vegetable. When seen hanging from the vine, it’s more like a fruit. It’s from the gourd family that also consist of melons, cucumbers and squash.
Some think chayote taste like a potato and can be bland. But I think it has an interesting flavor, like a mix of cucumber and zucchini squash. It is full of vitamin C and other nutrients.
Chayote can also be eaten raw. It’s slightly crunchy. Just shred and mix with a bit of salt, lemon juice, and chili peppers. Chayote can also be added to stir-fry, to retain it’s crisp taste, do not overcook. The list of cooking with chayote can include baking and pickling as well.
All parts of this plant can be eaten, from the leaves to the root. The leaves are also used to make tea. But I’ve never tried eating anything beside the fruit. I like chayote so much, I just steam them and eat as it.
I’ve added a new herbal tea to the list of my current tea selection. It is made with dried raspberry leaves. Not to be confused with the common “raspberry flavored” tea usually found at the grocery store.
It is the dried leaves of these red raspberry that makes healthy tea. Great for women’s health. Photo by Juhanson via Wikipedia.
My raspberry leaves were loose leaves. I use a French Press to brew the tea. This tea has a surprisingly pleasant taste, reminds me of light black tea. It never gets bitter. It may become one tea I will enjoy drinking often.
To add a little twist to the raspberry leaves, I blended some dried hibiscus flowers to it. The hibiscus gives it a little fruity tang and a hue of reddish color. Not to mention some extra Vitamin C.
Raspberry leaves tea is rich in minerals (especially calcium) and Vitamins B1, B2, B3, C and E. Great way to help keep bones and teeth strong. It would also be good to drink during the cold/winter season to stay healthy.
Herbalist usually recommend raspberry leaf tea for pregnant women. As it helps with toning the uterus in preparation for childbirth. It is also a good tea for relieving menstrual cramps. I think this would make a great tea for overall women’s health.
Directions for brewing raspberry leaves tea:
1 cup of boiling water, 1-2 teaspoon of dried raspberry leaves.
Steep for 15 minutes. Filter and drink at least 3 cups per day for health benefits.
Other benefits of raspberry leaves include treating sore throats, canker sores and stomach upset. You can also brew raspberry leaves to make your own herbal mouthwash. It would help sooth your teeth and gum.
In 2010, California becomes the first state to ban trans fat from restaurants and bakeries. While New York and Boston have similar laws.
I have stopped eating many food that contain trans fat. Trans fat raises your bad LDL cholesterol and lowers your good HDL cholesterol. Trans fat is also called hydrogenated fats. It’s usually added to processed and packaged baked goods to extend shelf life. More money in seller’s pocket, bad health for consumer.
Last time I was at the grocery store and picked up a box of “Butter Croissant”. But soon put it back when the the ingredients listed partially hydrogenated oil instead.
This is the way a croissant should be made, with real butter! It’s great as sandwich bread or with a bit of jam. Photo from Gunn’s Bakery.
Trans fat (hydrogenated oil) has been disguise as “healthy” fat substitute for a long time. The commonly used butter substitute is margarine and Crisco.
We have been mislead to think it’s better then butter. We are much better off cooking with real butter or lard (popular in Mexican food) then with margarine. And it taste better too!
Here is an excerpt of “The Skinny on Fats” written by Mary G. Enig, PhD and Sally Fallon:
” Instead of being eliminated, trans fats are incorporated into cell membranes as if they were cis fats—your cells actually become partially hydrogenated! Once in place, trans fatty acids with their misplaced hydrogen atoms wreak havoc in cell metabolism because chemical reactions can only take place when electrons in the cell membranes are in certain arrangements or patterns, which the hydrogenation process has disturbed.”
Trans fat lead to poor health such as heart disease and other metabolism problems. To have a healthier lifestyle, please avoid consuming trans fat.
I am starting this year with a new cup of coffee from Cafe Du Monde. It is coffee made with chicory root.
An odd combination you might think, but it actually makes very good coffee. A coffee that is less bitter with a taste of chocolate too.
This is my first coffee can of Cafe Du Monde. And the price is good at $4.99 for 15 oz can. It’s smell just like fresh coffee.
Requires opening with a can opener and the plastic lid is used to close it. It’s not fresh coffee beans that you ground yourself, but it’s still very good to me. I think this coffee is a keeper!
So how did people realize chicory root could make great coffee substitute?
Cafe Du Monde has this explanation for their company:
“The taste for coffee and chicory was developed by the French during their civil war.
Coffee was scarce during those times, and they found that chicory added body and flavor to the brew.
The Acadians from Nova Scotia brought this taste and many other french customs (heritage) to Louisiana. ”
The addition of chicory means it has less caffeine then a regular cup of coffee. Which is fine with me, as I am usually a tea drinker. What’s also neat about this coffee is the additional health benefits from the chicory root. As chicory makes a good liver and blood cleanser.
My favorite is CoQ10 as it’s not only good for your gums, it’s also good for your skin. Another great supplement is fish oils. They provide Omega 3 fatty acids are great for health and beauty (skin). 
Pomelos can easily be found at many Asian grocery stores, usually priced at $3 each. The Chinese like to have pomelos around for their new year celebration. It symbolizes abundance and prosperity. Must be due to the size of this fruit!
It’s good black tea made with peppermint and spices such as cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, chicory. Along with other ingredients I wouldn’t think to add to tea such as cacao kernels and coconut.
This is the way a croissant should be made, with real butter! It’s great as sandwich bread or with a bit of jam. Photo from Gunn’s 
