Germs in the Kitchen

Several years ago I watched a program on TV showing the cross contamination of handling meat in the kitchen.  They showed two or three cooks making a meal and then cleaning up the kitchen.  Then they showed the kitchen with an infrared light which showed the spread of bacteria and germs that were left behind.  Continue reading

Why Vegan

Water Kefir Grains

I have a fun project going on in my kitchen that I adore.  They are water kefirs that make a wonderful elixir that I enjoy every day.  For the past few months I have been making a batch daily as we enjoy this beverage.  They are easy to make and there are so many varieties to try.

You can find water kefirs online or through someone you know who is making water kefir.  The kefirs will produce more kefirs and so people who make these homemade fermented beverages will have some extras to share. Continue reading

Fermenting

Organic Food Benefits

Organic Leaf

Organic Leaf

Organic or Non-Organic?

This seems to be quite the debate. I know people who will not buy anything but organic if they have a choice, and others that don’t feel its worth the extra money. A lot of people fall in between, picking and choosing based on selection and price.

There are certainly some foods that  buying organic based on their vulnerability to absorb the massive amounts of chemicals used on them.  There are some that are low for absorption (and subsequently ingestion by you) and would be low on the list to purchase organic.  Continue reading

Nutrition Info, Planet Earth, Veg Topics ,

The China Study Book Review

The China Study

The China Study

The China Study is one of the classics on diet. It is a book on nutritional science developed from long-standing studies performed in China for 20 years by Colin Campbell, PhD. Colin noticed that specific regions in China had significantly lower incidences of diseases. These regions were primarily on a vegetarian diet.

When he looked into it further he noticed that the countries that ate a lot of protein in their diet had much higher incidences of certain diseases. The United States was one of them.  He then started a long term health study and this book was one of the results of the study.  Continue reading

Book Reviews, Nutrition Info, Veg Topics

Creamy Avocado Smoothie

The Creamy Avocado

The Creamy Avocado

Avocados are a staple for most veg nuts and raw foodists and for very good reasons. They are packed with nutrition, have healthy fats, and can be used as a thickener for smoothies and pudding. Not to mention a multitude of recipes that will satisfy the fat that we often crave in our foods without all the guilt.

The health promoting monounsaturated fats along with all of the other health benefits makes this an ideal, almost perfect food, to satisfy and even help prevent overeating.  One of my favorite ways to use the avocado is in a smoothie.  Who does not adore smoothies?

Avocado Smoothie Recipe Continue reading

Raw Recipes, Recipes & Eats, Smoothies , ,

February Heart Month

The month of February brings so many opportunities to celebrate.   Valentines Day is a top contender in the month of February as is all about celebrating love.
February is American Heart month.  According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention America’s heart disease burden is about 600,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year–that’s 1 in every 4 deaths.

  •     Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. More than half of the deaths due to heart disease in 2009 were in men
  • Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease, killing more than 385,000 people annually.
  •   Coronary heart disease alone costs the United States $108.9 billion each year.3 This total includes the cost of health care services, medications, and lost productivity.

To read more go to:  http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm   Continue reading

Animal Love, Grand Valley Pets Alive, Podcasts The Fresh Cafe Radio Show, Why Vegan

Veganic Gardening

Children harvesting kaleIn January 2014 I had the opportunity to attend a lecture on Veganic Gardening.  Such an interesting topic that I wanted to share the information so I interviewed a couple in the know for my radio program, the Fresh Cafe.  Greg & Stephanie Litus worked at an animal sanctuary called the Animal Place in northern California and they had a veganic 3 acre farm. Continue reading

Garden & Edibles, Podcasts The Fresh Cafe Radio Show

Dr. Michael Greger Teaches Why WFPBD

WFPBD – Whole Food Plant-based Diet, Michael Greger, MD is one of my favorite MD doctors on the subject of nutrition.  He studies the thousands of Nutritional Journals every year.

In this short video Dr. Greger explains why plant-based protein is good for humans.  Plant-based protein preferable

Dr. Greger also lives it by eating a plant-based diet over the past 25 years. Continue reading

Nutrition Info, Veg Nut Leaders, Veg Topics, Why Vegan ,

Rawsome! A Book Review

Rawsome!

Rawsome!

Rawsome!

This is a wonderful raw food book by Brigitte Mars.  The book is all about eating foods closest to their natural state which engenders a tremendous exchange of energy between food and the body.

Bridgette also points out the environmental benefits of a raw foods diet, making a strong case for eating raw foods as a means of reducing waste and reducing the human footprint. Continue reading

Book Reviews, Raw Foodie , , , , , , ,

Oatmeal Jam Cookies

Freshly Grated Nutmeg

Freshly Grated Nutmeg

What is better this time of year than the comfort of cookies and tea? Add in oatmeal to the mix and you have a great wintertime cookie.

I have been trying to practice more calm in my life this month.  Refusing to get pulled in to the holiday craze, I am enjoying more tea time, with little healthy bites, walks and talks and enjoying the blessings in my life.

Here is a recipe I have learned about at a veg class last month.  Perfect with your favorite cup of tea: Continue reading

Desserts, Recipes & Eats