simply, naturally, homegrown.

the importance of breath.

2012-02-17T08:55:00.000-08:00

“Breathing in I know that I’m alive, breathing out I smile at my aliveness.” Thich Nhat Hanh

Did you know that the bottom of your lungs have fibers that, when oxygenated, actually calm your parasympathetic nervous system?

As human beings we tend to only breath in the top half of our lungs due to the stressful nature of our society. Ayurvedic doctor John Douillard gives a great example. Think of running into a bear in the woods…that quick, stressed, short inhale you would take in fear is how most Americans breath on a daily basis. Think about what that is doing to your nervous system!

So take a moment, drop your shoulders, close your eyes, and take a long, slow, deeeeeep breath. You will immediately feel less stressed and more relaxed. Bringing consciousness to your breath will bring peace to your life.

make your own almond milk.

2012-01-19T08:39:00.000-08:00

I'm never buying almond milk from the store again. Nope. Not ever. And I think I am going to try to make rice milk and coconut milk too. Even though they seem like great options, those store bought "milks" tend to be extremely processed and filled with ingredients that we would rather do without. This was too easy not to do all the time!

almond milk

1 cup of raw almonds (soak for 8-12 hours prior)
4 cups of water
1 tsp of good quality vanilla extract
1/4 cup honey

Blend in a blender on high for at least 1 minute. Strain with cheesecloth and you're done!

roasted red pepper salad dressing.

2012-01-18T14:14:00.000-08:00

I'm all about making as much from scratch as possible. Saves you money and ensures that you know exactly what is in the food you are eating. Dressings and marinades are a perfect thing to make yourself. All you need is some staple pantry ingredients and a blender/ food processor of sorts. Here is an easy roasted red pepper dressing, delicious on a simple bed of lettuce. Feel free to alter the recipe to make it your own. Any combination of ingredients, spices, and cheese will do!

roasted red pepper dressing

Blend the following ingredients in a blender until desired constancy:

3 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon of evoo
1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard (any mustard will do)
1 clove of garlic
1 tablespoon of honey
oregano or Italian seasoning to taste
salt and pepper to taste
a little bit of feta or goat cheese
some roasted red pepper slices (i used ones from a jar but freshly roasted would be even better)

goat cheese polenta with poached egg and roasted tomatoes.

2011-12-20T09:08:00.000-08:00

I had a version of this meal at a wonderful new(ish) Boulder restaurant called Cafe Aion. This farm to table, innovative restaurant is in the incredibly charming previous location of Burnt Toast (for all you old Hill residents).

I know the meal looks pretty sloppy in the photo but I promise what it lacks in pretty it makes up in yummy. The one challenge is synchronizing all of the components together. I also served a sweet soy broccoli and cashew dish on the side, stolen from my friend Jody's awesome vegan blog E.V.O.O.

Roasted Tomatoes
*This part takes the longest so start the tomatoes off first.

Cube 6 roma tomatoes and coat with:

Diced garlic
Good quality balsamic
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper

Roast at 350 degrees until the tomatoes are caramelizing and your house smells like an Italian grandmother's villa :)

Goat Cheese Polenta

Boil 4 1/2 cups of water and add a little less than 1 cup of yellow corn meal.
Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer to thicken. WHISK...let me say it again...WHISK from start to finish to keep the mixture from clumping. Spoiler alert...you will not be able to feel your hand when you are finished.
Add some butter, and season generously with salt and pepper.
Mix in a generous helping of goat cheese to finish the creamy polenta.

*To serve the dish layer the goat cheese polenta, two poached eggs, and some of the rosted tomoatoes in a shallow bowl. Serve with broccoli dish on the side.

homemade popcorn.

2011-11-22T14:20:00.000-08:00

Although it is not rocket science to make popcorn at home, I hope this post helps you eliminate some chemicals in your life and save you some moula.

Its amazing how many of us still buy those microwavable bags of popcorn that are lined with perfluorooctanoic (PFOA) and covered with fake butter flavoring containing another chemical called diacetyl. Eating healthily and cheaply is simple. Eat real food, make your own, and eat in season.

Making your own popcorn is also more fun and creative. Play with different toppings like olive oil and rosemary, brown sugar and cinnamon, curry powder, nuts and caramel... The options are endless!

homemade popcorn:
1) On medium high heat, warm some olive oil, grape seed oil, or peanut oil in a LARGE pot (remember those tiny kernels expand!)

2) Add good quality popcorn kernels (1/2 cup for two people with left overs)

3) And keeping the cover on, let the kernels pop! They can burn easily so I like to shake the pot somewhat frequently. When the popping slows remove from heat and keep the cover on to continue the popping process without burning the corn.

4) Add melted butter, sea salt, Tony's Creole Seasoning, or your favorite topping!

enjoy.

life.

2011-11-11T12:49:00.000-08:00

so enjoy.

make your own vanilla extract.

2011-11-10T14:36:00.000-08:00

Fill 4oz mason jars with...

3 Madagascar vanilla beans per jar (sliced down the middle, but not sliced all the way through).
Fill bean filled jars with vodka.

Store closed jars in cold dark place for 8 weeks, shaking once per week.

write a letter.

2011-11-09T14:12:00.000-08:00

Write a letter to a friend. Write a card to say hi. In a world of email, text, IM, facebook, linkedin, gchat, gmail...well you get the picture...it means the world to get a personal letter from someone you care about. Just a reminder :)

lamb, pumpkin, and goat cheese ravioli.

2011-11-08T13:35:00.000-08:00

This ravioli fed three, over six feet, very hungry men. That is a true recipe test. I cheated and used uncooked wonton paper (the dough used for dumplings) for the pasta and stuffed with the filling. It takes some time but it relatively easy when you put a little assembly line together in your kitchen!

Filling:

Saute one onion
Add 1/2 lb of ground lamb and brown. Season with salt, pepper, a touch of cayenne, and some cinnamon.
Pull off stove and add puree of 1/2 roasted pumpkin.
Mix with 1 c or more of crumbled high quality goat cheese.

Filling the Ravioli:

Cut the large wonton papers into fours to make squares the size of desired ravioli.
Crack one egg in a bowl and mix. The egg wash binds the ravioli together.
Lay multiple wonton papers down in an assembly line fashion. Scoop less than a spoonful of filling on the ravioli squares, use your finger to border the filling with egg wash and top each with another wonton square so that the top ravioli square lies evenly on the bottom square.
Make sure the air is out of the center and use a fork to make a decorative edge around the ravioli.
Then boil until ravioli floats to the top.
Take ravioli out individually and layer some oil. They stick together very easily so dont lie on top of each other!

Add to your favorite sauce and you are done! I paired the ravioli with a sage brown butter sauce and a simple mixed green salad. Baked apples for dessert completed the delicious and filling meal.

pumpkin orechiette with sage brown butter sauce.

2011-11-02T08:24:00.000-07:00

This meal was rustic, seasonal, and really really good. Oh...and easy.

We are up to our ears in winter squash so trying to get creative with recipes. This one is sticking around.

Roast a pumpkin at 425 degrees with evoo and salt and pepper till tender. Scoop out half and set aside.

Meanwhile cook one box of orecchiette pasta (the kind that looks like little ears).

When pasta is almost done start sauce. Saute 4 tbsp of butter until it gets a slight brown tint. When you see this brown take it off the stove and add 8 fresh sage leaves. Also add the juice of 1/2-1 lemon.

Drain the pasta but leave some of the water and add the sauce, the little bit of pasta water, and the pasta together. Add the 1/2 of roasted pumpkin and 1/2- 1 cup of Parmesan. Season with salt to taste.

Perfectly Elegant.

curry chili.

2011-11-01T10:50:00.000-07:00

This was an accident that turned into a delicious dish. Love when that happens :)

Didn't have cumin so used garam masala. Here are the steps:

1) Saute 2 onions and 2 green peppers with 1 lb of meat. Skip meat if desired.
2) Pour out fat and add:

2 jars of organic tomato sauce (make your own or look for jars with the least ingredients)
Some diced jalepenos
2 tablespoons of garam masala (for slight curry flavor) or cumin
1/2 teaspoon of cayene
1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika
2 tablespoons of chili
Some salt
One cup of water
Mexican style tomatoes (1 can or make your own with stewed tomatoes and some cooked green chilies)

3) Bring to a boil and add cooked kidney beans and black beans and simmer for 1-2 hours. If you didn't add meat add Bulgar wheat at this step for a hearty meat alternative.

Enjoy with your favorite toppings and sides.

cucumber salad.

2011-10-31T15:56:00.000-07:00

So simple and so refreshing.

Cucumber slices, greek plain yogurt, dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

Yup, that's it.

blueberry brie galette.

2011-10-28T13:29:00.000-07:00

This just looks delicious. Puff pastry, blueberries, sugar, and brie.

Simple, tasty, and elegant.

For step by step instructions visit this link.

Or to cheat: wrap puff pastry around a wheel of brie, top with blueberries, brush with egg and top with sugar. Bake at 350 until puff pastry is golden brown.

Then savor.

new take on an herb garden.

2011-10-27T15:46:00.000-07:00

An herb garden for those chilly winter months.

I love the idea of using recycled barn wood for the wall mount.

Simply beautiful.

Happiness is a choice.

2011-10-26T16:58:00.001-07:00

Diy House Cleaning.

2011-10-24T14:36:00.000-07:00

Full Circle Home Cleaning Products...yup I'm obsessed.

These cool DIY Cleaning Kits allow you to make your own natural and toxin-free cleaning solutions for a chemical free house. The kit comes with a cleaning solution recipe book…different recipes designed for each dirty areas of the house. The ingredients are things you already having lying around the house saving you a trip to the store annndd moula...

And the products are made with biodegradable and recycled materials. Simply great.

Pickled Okra

2011-09-02T09:49:00.000-07:00

Pickled Okra

We got a bunch of beautiful okra from our CSA this week. I spoke with Tiffany, our farmer and asked her what to do with it. She had a few suggestions.

First suggestion was to sauté them with something acidic like tomatoes. The acid cuts the slimy quality of the okra. She also suggested frying them. I have had them like this before paired with a Cajun aioli and it was delicious. Her third suggestion was to pickle them. I went with the third since I have a good friend that makes killer bloody mary’s that we could throw these in!

Although I haven’t opened the jar yet and tasted them, the process went relatively smoothly…even in my tiny kitchen with limited supplies!

First, I sterilized the jars. I have heard multiple thoughts on this but I decided to do it just in case. I filled up my sink with scalding water and submerged the jars and lids while I prepared the brine.

Second, I made a brine of apple cider vinegar (1 ½ cups), ½ cup of water, garlic cloves (2), a little sugar, some salt, mustard seeds, dried red pepper seeds, and dill seeds. I threw in some fresh dill as well. I mixed all of this in a pot and brought the brine to a boil.

Third, I packed the okra in the jars and poured the brine in each jar up to ¼ inch below the top of the jar. Then I took a knife and went once around the inside of the jar. I closed the lids but not too tight.

Fourth, I submerged the jars in a boiling water bath for 10ish mins.

After the 10 mins I took the jars out and waited for them to cool and for the seals to pop and seal.

Voila! I’ll let you know how they turn out but I have high hopes. You can use this process for pretty much anything. My mom made spicy dilly beans like this and they were amazing. We are thinking carrots next, and asparagus next spring!

Happy long weekend…woo hoo!

Feminine Hygiene...ya I said it.

2011-07-14T14:14:00.000-07:00

The subject may make you giggle but the scary chemicals and plastics you are putting in your body aren't really that funny...

See this article about Emerita Tampons:

http://newhope360.com/blog/emeritas-tampon-revolution

Homemade Granola

2011-07-10T19:58:00.000-07:00

Granola is so easy to make and makes the whole house smell yuumm-mmmy! Here is a simple recipe I follow loosely but feel free to experiment with sweetness, spices, etc. I also like to double it because it tends to disappear pretty fast :)

On the stove in a pot on low mix (may have to add more or less depending on dry mixture):

1/3 canola oil
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup molases
2 tablespoons of water
1 teaspoon pure vanilla

In a large mixing bowl combine:

6 cups of oats (any kind really, instant or slow cooking will both work)
1/3 cup sesame seeds
1 cup slivered almonds or nuts of your choice
1 cup raw sunflower seeds
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
cinamon (I add a lot)
nutmeg
spices of your choice

Pour heated liquid mixture over combined dry mixture. Mix to coat evenly. You don't want too much liquid, just enough to evenly coat all of the oats.

Preheat oven to 350. Cover 2 cookie sheets with wax paper. Put mixture onto cookie sheets and spread so that there is a thin even layer of oat mixture on the cookie sheets.

Put both cookie sheets in the oven for 20 mins (may be less or more. Watch carefully! You want the granola to be light golden.)

Mid way through the cooking time pull out the cookie sheets and mix up the oats so they cook evenly. Also switch the cookie sheet on the top rack and the bottom cookie sheet mid way through the cooking time.

Once the granola is cooked put in a bowl and add raisins and dried fruits of your choice.

Enjoy!

The New Food Pyramid

2011-07-06T16:13:00.000-07:00

It sure doesn't look like the old one!

How to eliminate plastic waste in your life...

2011-07-01T11:48:00.000-07:00

From the documentary "bag it"'s website...

We ALL use way too much plastic. Here are some great ways to decrease your plastic footprint!

A LIFE LESS PLASTIC

TEN ALTERNATIVES

1. Carry reusable shopping bags

Whether you're shopping for groceries, clothes or electronics, be sure to bring along the reusable bag(s) of your choice. Keep them in your car so you don't forget to use them. We recommend the Chico Bag — small enough to fit in your pocket or purse!

2. Give up bottled water

By drinking your water from a glass jar or a reusable bottle, you can help reduce the environmental costs associated with producing bottled water and save money while you're at it. Unlike bottle water, the quality of your tap water is regularly monitored by your city. Click here to learn more about your local tap water supply.

3. Say no to plastic produce bags

Bagging your produce is generally unnecessary. If you do want a separate bag for produce, cloth options are available. Some alternatives are EcoBags, Acme produce bags, or making your own from old t-shirts.

4. Buy from bulk bins

You can find almost all dry foods, as well as some personal care products, from bulk bins. If you can't find bulk bins in your neighborhood, you can still buy non-perishable goods in large size packages, which will decrease the amount of plastic used.

5. Make your own seltzer

When it comes to carbonated drinks, you can avoid high intakes of high fructose corn syrup AND the need for purchasing disposable bottles by making your own seltzer. We recommend adding a splash of juice to your homemade soda to create a delicious bubbly drink. Kids love it!

6. Pack food in reusable containers

Bring reusable containers to restaurants to take home your leftovers. Ask the butcher or deli server at your grocery store to package your food in your reusable container. Use them to pack your lunch, and don't forget to carry along reusable utensils. We love these containers from LunchBots and Life Without Plastic.

7. Choose milk in returnable glass bottles

Many communities have local dairies that provide milk in returnable glass bottles rather than plastic or plastic-coated cardboard. All cardboard milk containers are coated inside and out with plastic, not wax. Check out local dairies in your area to see if this is offered, or ask them to start a co-op.

8. Use bar soap and shampoo

Make the change from liquid to bar!

9. Choose lotions and lip balms in plastic-free containers
Organic Essence is packaging its body lotions in compostable cardboard jars and its lip balms in ingenious cardboard tubes that squeeze from the end. There are also lotion bars and lip balms and glosses that come in glass or metal containers. Or you can even make your own products.

10. Make sure your personal care products are phthalate-free

Phthalates, which are plasticizers, have become standard as additives to scented products because they help fragrances last longer. But research has shown reasons to be concerned about the impact of phthalates on our health . Use this list to find phthalates-free products.

What to do with all those CSA greens???

2011-06-29T15:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my friend Kate and I decided that we needed to organize and store our CSA greens because our fridge was getting a little too out of control and overgrown! We have a surplus of spinach, kale, collards, radishes, and salad greens that we want to last through the winter.

We cleaned and cut the kale and spinach, blanched them in boiling water for five or so minutes and moved it to an ice water bath to stop the cooking. We dried the cooked greens overnight on a cookie sheet with a towel on it and placed in a labeled zip lock bags to freeze. That way we can pull it out when we need it and none of it goes to waste!

The salad greens were cleaned and organized, as were the strawberries. The beets and radishes and an onion was pickled in jars and stuck in the fridge to cure.

I am planning to make pesto with the fresh garlic and garlic scapes (very strange little things- I’ll let you know how that goes). The chard is going in soup and I’m still at a loss on what to do with the broccoli raab…any ideas?

I think what I am learning is that it takes a lot of work to put food away for the winter but it is worth it. By taking one night a week to clean, organize and prepare your CSA share or weekly seasonal veggie and fruit purchase you will waste less and be more opt to cook delicious seasonal meals with what you have from the farm.

Cherries in our fruit share this week! Homemade cherry jam and maybe some bourbon soaked cherries to comeJ

What on earth do you do with radishes?

2011-06-16T10:32:00.000-07:00

Our CSA has begun here in Colorado- woo hoo! That means a weekly box of beautiful and local farm fresh fruit, veggies, and eggs…and a lot of new foods that we have no idea how to cook!

This spring has brough a lootttt of greens and radishes. I have never had a good relationship with the old radish…it reminds me of one of three things:

1) a garnish at a cheesy buffet

2) something that you can carve a little weird face out of (see #1) or

3) something crunchy and tasteless in a salad.

I have vowed to conquer my fear of the radish this year…since I am up to my ears in them and really have no choice J

Some of the best things about having a CSA is that you are challenged to eat new things, prepare things in different ways, and you are forced to find a ton of new recipes. Also, the farmers will send you their favorite recipes each week depending on that week’s harvest. They will also talk to you when you pick up your share about how to cook each vegetable harvested that week.

Yummy ways to prepare radishes:

In our CSA we got delicious (yes I said delicious and I mean it!) French Breakfast Radishes. The farmer told me the best way to eat them was to slice them and put them on buttered toast and sprinkle with sea salt. It was so yummy! They are really good raw too- milder than traditional radishes. This can be done with regular radishes too.

Pickled Radishes:

I was looking for a way to can radishes and couldn’t really find much about preserving them long term. I did find some awesome pickled radish recipes that can be stored in your fridge for awhile. Best eaten after the radishes have cured in the brine in the fridge for a week. Use excess vinegar for salad dressing!

Pickled Radishes
Makes 1 half pint

6 radishes the size of pin pong balls, sliced very thin (1 heaping cup)
1 large shallot cut into eighths
½ cup vinegar
½ cup sugar
½ teaspoon salt

Place the vinegar, sugar and salt in a small pot and heat over a medium low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Add the radishes and shallots. Heat until the vinegar just begins to boil, and then remove from heat.

Enjoy!

Rosemary Garlic Braid

2011-06-14T10:54:00.000-07:00

Garlic came up in my mom's garden in California! My parents live near the garlic capitol of the world, Gilroy, and some mornings we can smell the garlic fields from our family home- a 30 minute drive from Gilroy!

Mom decided to make her own garlic braid with the garlic and rosemary from her garden. She always makes our house feel so rustic and homey. So beautiful- and a great way to dry your garlic, onions, and herbs!

Pizza's on the BBQ

2011-06-07T13:47:00.000-07:00

Last night we had a bbq with some friends and made delicious pizzas on the grill! We pulled pizza dough into large rectangles and sprinkled on salt, evoo, flour, and some seasonings and cooked the dough right on the bbq. Once the dough was pretty cooked we added the toppings and then threw them back on the grill to finish. YUMMMM! Such an easy summer meal that feeds a lot of peeps.

We decided to make one savory and one sweet pizza. Here’s what we made…

Bridge and Mike’s Savory Pie had tomato sauce topped with mascarpone and mozzarella cheese, a drizzle of cream, prosciutto slices, and fresh basil. So satisfying!

Our pizza was topped with a drizzle of evoo, salt and pepper, dollops of goat cheese, fresh peach slices, and red onion slices. Once that was taken off the grill we drizzled on honey and topped with fresh arugula and basil. Perfectly sweet and great in combination with the savory pie!

Happy summer bbq-ing!

Homemade Mayonaise

2011-04-26T08:40:00.000-07:00

I learned to make this the other day at a pot luck/ cooking class/ chicken raising class put on by this awesome group called the Root Sellers. They are a group that comes together to learn about different facets of homesteading...canning, gardening, animal husbandry, cheese making, etc. The focus on this meet up was all things eggs. It really was eggcelent, eggciting...you get the jist.

I encourage you to look up a swapping/ homesteading group in your area. A great way to learn a ton, eat great food, and meet interesting people!

Homemade Mayonnaise

2 egg yolks
The juice of 1/2 lemon or a tablespoon (or 2) of white wine vinegar
pinch of dry mustard
a little salt and pepper
1 cup of oil (I used Canola)

1) Whisk the yolks, acid of your choice, mustard, and salt and pepper until it starts to get a little thick.
2) Add a few drops of oil while continuing to whisk fast.
3) Continue this process of whisking in drop by drop of oil until the mixture starts to thicken.
4) Once it thickens slightly you can add the rest of the oil in a steady, slow stream, whisking the entire time.
5) Don't add the oil to fast, or stop whisking for very long! Your mayo will break and the oil will rise to the top and you will be eating a bland sandwich!

Once it is fairly thick refrigerate to thicken even more. It will be runnier than store bought mayo, and a little yellower, but it will also be tastier!

And voila...you made mayo!

Experiment and add yummy things- capers, chipotle seasoning, artichokes, oh my!

Simple rustic bread recipe!

2011-04-25T14:40:00.000-07:00

I made my first few loaves of rustic bread recently and it has changed my world! Never am I EVER going to buy bread again! Well…that’s probably not true but it is so fun and so easy that I encourage you to give it a shot!

The recipe below offers 4 x 1 lb loaves and can remain refrigerated for up 7 days, feel free to double it or half it.

3 Cups Lukewarm Water

1 1/2 Tablespoons Yeast (I used instant yeast packets)

1 1/2 Tablespoons Salt

6 1/2 Unsifted Unbleached White Flour (I only had all purpose and that worked fine)

•Warm the water to about 100 F and add the yeast and salt and flour

Mix, but do not knead

Cover (I use a plate over a big bowl) and allow to rise for 2-5 hours (in high altitude 2 hours was perfect)

•Refrigerate overnight

The next day...

•Uncover your bowl of dough and dust with flour

•Grab about a grapefruit size handful and tear or cut with a serrated knife

•Add more flour and fold back the sides to form a ball (most of the flour will fall off and that is ok)

•Set ball and allow to rise for 40 minutes

•20 minutes before you are ready to bake the bread preheat the oven with a pizza stone in it at 450 F (I used a cookie sheet!)

•Beneath the pizza stone place a broiler tray or roasting pan

•Once you are ready to bake, brush the top of the bread with water and cut two little slices in the top of the bread. Slide the dough onto the pizza stone and add a cup of hot water to the pan beneath.

•Shut the oven door quickly, the added water to the pan beneath the stone will sizzle and steam which offers great crust results.

Cook for about 30-40 mins or until the crust is pretty and golden!

Today I woke up.

2011-04-07T22:27:00.001-07:00

Today I woke up.

As I sat on the bus on my daily hour plus ride home from work I felt tired, hungry, and annoyed that someone had sat next to me in the cramped bus seat. Then the old man sitting in front of me started chit chatting with the young pretty thirty something bus driver. As I rolled my eyes I thought, “Oh great, he’s going to be a talker.”

I closed my eyes trying to drain out his voice. As I rested my head on the window, willing the bus to hurry so I could get home to my couch I couldn’t help but listen to the old man and young woman’s conversation.

The old man was retired and had recently moved to Denver from Pheonix. He had stopped using his car upon his arrival 18 months ago and had solely been relying on public transportation and his old, worn legs to get around. He had been doing day trips on the bus Monday-Fridays to little towns around the area that he had never visited before. He had fallen in love with Evergreen earlier this week. It reminded him of Zurich, Switzerland, the way the mountains grew right out of the lake.

You see, this man was a traveler. He had dedicated his life to travel, had visited everywhere you can imagine. He spoke of dining on the Italian Riviera, working as a farm hand picking potatoes in Austria, listening to the violent monsoons in the Philippines. His favorite place was Quebec. For some reason he felt at home in those tiny French towns.

He preferred staying in hostels. He enjoyed the company of his ever-changing roommates, enjoyed eating breakfast with new friends, and exploring the city together.

He had 15 trips planned for the next year alone. He was at least 80 years old.

As we turned onto the highway leading into Denver we all got a great view of the city. The old man simply said, “There’s my home, I’m so happy I moved here.”

The young bus driver asked him where he lived and he said downtown in the Sunrise towers. He told her it was an apartment for seniors and the physically disabled, a wonderful community full of friendly and kind people.

As he hobbled off the bus he said goodbye to the bus driver and started his slow and peaceful walk home. I also started mine.

As I walked to my apartment it occurred to me that I had been asleep lately. I wasn’t sure how long- maybe days, maybe weeks.

But I was awake now. Suddenly it was clear. I noticed the beauty of the downtown architecture, the interesting lines that made up the cracks in the pavement. The blossoms bursting out of the ground and out of the branches of trees. I heard conversations and the laughter of people in the nearby restaurants; I felt the strength in my young legs beneath me as I walked energetically. I felt the breath inhale into my lungs. I noticed my aliveness, I was awake.

I was mad at myself for forgetting. Forgetting that I don’t have to walk home from the bus, but I get to walk home from the bus. Forgetting that I don’t have to listen to an old man rambling on about his life, but that I get to listen to a being that has truly connected with this world, with other hearts on this planet, and has really lived and experienced the opportunity in this world that he has been given.

I know there will be times in the future where I forget again, but I refuse to let myself forget for long. This is MY life, MY gift, and you better believe that I am going to be awake for it.

Get your CSA membership while it's hot!

2011-03-25T15:06:00.000-07:00

The birds are starting to sing, the tulip blossoms are poking their heads out of the ground, the sun is warming the earth’s surface a little bit more each day. Everything is coming back to life after a long cold and sleepy winter. It’s springtime!!! That means longer days, sunny spring skiing, and calves sprinkling the grassy country fields. Colorado is starting to awaken and pulse with life.

Such a special time of year! This is an exciting time because we are able to start working the ground again. Garden beds are prepared seeds are planted, and we are able to connect with the earth in a different way than in the winter months. Another exciting thing to do this season is become a member of a CSA!

Farms are now excepting applications to be a member of their community supported agriculture programs. Get a box of local farm veggies each week connecting you to your community, your local farm, and your inner top chef! Apply soon because they tend to sell out fast. Many CSA send weekly newsletters, recipes, and have fun events for their CSA members too!

To find one in your area visit http://www.localharvest.org/csa/

Happy farm season!

Ayurveda: The oldest medical system in the world

2010-12-14T15:02:00.000-08:00

The other day in the amazing yoga training that I am apart of right now we had a class on Ayurveda. I have always been raised with a mostly holistic and natural approach to medicine; my parents and grandparents always using natural remedies first (or just plain sleep and liquids) to cure all of our ailments. So any kind of wellness system corresponding with nature makes sense to me.

Ayurvedic medicine is really interesting. Everyone is made up of a different combination of three elements which makes up one's dosha. Most of the time one element is more dominant than the others. The goal of the Ayurveda science is to balance these elements within the body to obtain maximum health and vitality. There are quizzes online that help you find your dosha. Once you know your dosha and what elements are out of balance, you are able to adjust those imbalances. Diet, herbs, meditation, essential oils, massage, etc. are all ways of coming into balance depending on what ails you and what your dosha entails.

A main principle of Ayurveda is that "no treatment should cause injury" so the idea of side effects is crazy and wrong according to this lifestyle. The dietary guidelines are very interesting in this science. Based on your dosha and your imbalances you are supposed to eat and avoid specific foods. People who have a "Pitta" imbalance, for example, tend to be very fiery, aggressive, competitive, and also often have stomach and digestion issues. Therefore they are supposed to avoid spicy and extemely hot temperature foods. Once you find your dosha it is very interesting to see where your imbalances lie in both diet and reactions to everyday experiences.

Some easy guidelines to follow are:

1) Don't eat fruit with your meal; eat separately due to the fact that it digests faster and can cause digestion issues.

2) Don't ever drink freezing cold drinks, this weakens digestion.

3) Try not to drink a lot of liquid during meals.

4) Be aware of what you are eating. Be present during each bite. Try not to watch TV or do things that will distract you. This enables you to enjoy your food and eat slower and more purposefully.

5) Breakfast and dinner should be relatively small meals while lunch should be a large meal. Noon is when digestion is strongest.

6) Eat three to four meals a day, not snacking in between.

7) Eat at a slowish pace until you are 3/4 the way full, in order not to over indulge.

8) Eat food that was prepared with love and purpose; food that didn't harm people or animals in the process of making it to your table. (To me this means eat locally and organically; respecting the farmers, animals, and environment that is providing you with this wonderful food!)

I encourage you to learn more about this amazing science. And next time listen to your body's needs and imbalances before reaching for the quick fix medicine. Our bodies are amazing machines that can cure themselves when fed and taken care of properly. Lets all try to get back to that!

A Quote to Live By

2010-12-11T10:56:00.000-08:00

"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly." Buddha

8 limb path: Yamas...Ahimsa

2010-12-09T15:36:00.000-08:00

Ahimsa Symbol

In Ashtanga yoga, and now followed by yogis of many disciplines, the way to a happy, mindful life is through the 8 Limb Path. The 8 limb path is the journey one's soul should take when trying to reach full enlightenment. Basically, it is guidelines to living your life in a kind, compassionate, present way that will enable one to reach full self-realization and union with God; whatever your god may be.

I am going to try to do a post on each one of the disciplines that follow each limb. The first limb is Yama, or ethical discipline. The first discipline within the Yama limb is Ahimsa or non-violence.

Non-violence can take many forms. Of course it includes the obvious of not harming those around you physically, verbally, mentally, or emotionally. It includes not having negative thoughts about people or experiences, not gossiping, talking ill of others or the choices of others. This is obviously extremely hard for us! But notice next time you talk badly about someone else. Do you feel any better? Probably not...So start being aware of what your mind is thinking and your mouth is saying.

The environment is also a big part of this discipline. Be kind, respectful, and protective of nature, animals, plants, etc. See the beauty and wonder of the world around us and do everything in your power to keep it beautiful and natural. Ahimsa also includes material items. Being respectful to non-living objects, being soft with your existence on this Earth.

A major part of this discipline that people tend to forget is non-violence to one's self. Not judging yourself, being kind to your body. Don't hurt yourself with food, drink, exercise. Being your biggest fan, believing in yourself, nurturing yourself, and respecting yourself. Because how can you treat others well when you aren't treating your self with the dignity and love you deserve?

Try to focus on Ahimsa this week. Find it in every action you take, every thought that runs through your mind, every word that comes out of your mouth. At the end of the day all that matters is that your life made the world a little bit of a brighter and kinder place for the people and the environment around you. Because no one wants to harm...so be mindful of the many ways you can stop hurting yourself and others. You will undoubtedly lead a much more peaceful, pleasant, and meaningful life.

Get involved...save small farms and dairy producers

2010-11-19T09:06:00.000-08:00

A post from the wonderful Nourished Kitchen blog about taking action to stop crimes against small farms and our way of life:

"Morningland Dairy, Estrella Creamery: these two artisanal producers, and countless others over the past few years, have been subject to raids and seizure of their products, often without cause. An increase in the crackdown against small producers and beneath the looming vote on senate bill 510, more and more producers of traditional foods – small farms, grass-fed creameries, and artisanal cheesemakers will continue to operate under consistent fear that their farms, their ranches and their dairies may be the next to be raided – and their family the next to lose their livelihood.

As for you? Your inherent right to consume the foods of your choice is at risk. Learn more about taking action and what you should do next.

Morningland Dairy

This June, police raided a private buying club with guns drawn, confiscating raw milk, yogurts and cheeses and other foods – Morningland Dairy, was an unfortunate victim of the raid. A small grass-based creamery nestled in the Missouri Ozarks, Morningland Dairy received a letter from the FDA and several memorandums from the Missouri Milk Board ordering the destruction of $250,00 in raw, artisan cheese. Their cheese sickened no one. Despite inaccurately performed tests, the FDA insisted that their cheese posed “an acute, life-threatening hazard to health.” As a result, the operators of Morningland Dairy – the Dixon family – are now fighting an uphill battle to preserve their farm, their customer base, their product, their rights and their way of life.

Estrella Family Creamery

Just a few weeks after Morningland Dairy received the order to destroy their cheese, three cars pulled up to the Estrella Family Creamery and federal marshalls and representatives of the FDA filed out – frightening the family’s children and posting an order that did far worse: a seizure of the creamery’s entire stock of cheeses. While an unannounced inspection by the FDA in August yielded a few stray environmental and cheese samples that tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, Estrella Family Creamery had sickened no one. Indeed Listeria monocytogenesis a fairly common strain of bacteria, not all of which are harmful to human health. For a creamery as small as Estrella or Morningland, just one seizure, one forced recall can put the entire family out of business for good.

Senate Bill 510

As I write this post, the senate is voting on a motion to proceed to the bill for S510. Ostensibly designed to provide greater controls for food safety, S510 has met with wide support from the agribusiness industry. Yet, should it pass, the bill would provide the FDA with greater control over the ability to execute raids, product seizures and force recalls on small producers – providing competitive advantage to industrial food producers, the very corporations responsible for sickening so many people each year. According to the Farm-to-consumer Legal Defense Fund, the bill can be used to strategically drive small producers out of business for reasons that have nothing to do with food safety; this has been shown by the experience of the meat industry. In that industry, USDA overwhelmed small plants with paperwork requirements, most of which had no connection to safe food; small plants were targeted for a higher number of enforcement actions while there was lax regulation of big plants.

Taking Action

Unless we, as consumers and as voters, take action to change the system, small farmers, dairies and creameries will continue to be imperiled by the actions of the government while industrial agriculture thrives, relatively unfettered. While contacting your legislators, spreading the word through social media like facebook and twitter can provide enormous help in illuminating the growing issue of small farm raids, it cannot provide immediate assistance for the hurting families and businesses that have been subject to raids and unwarranted seizure.

Real food bloggers, like Nourished Kitchen, Kelly the Kitchen Kop, Cheeseslave, Hartke is Online, the Healthy Home Economist and countless others are banding together in recognition of this growing attack on small producers and in support of the families who have had their livelihoods imperiled by the unwarranted actions of the FDA. What we ask is simple: make the commitment to donating at least $5 to raided farms so that these families can pay for expenses resultant from the raids.

Nourished Kitchen, reaches over 60,000 individuals each month including more than 10,500 newsletter subscribers, 7,000 RSS subscribers and 11,500 fans on facebook. If our facebook fans alone made the commitment to support raided farms with just five dollars, those farmers would earn over $50,000 to cover resulting expenses. If some subscribers and fans contributed more – $10, $15, $50 – they could help to contribute for those readers for whom even a five dollar donation is too much.

So sign up here, to commit to helping small farms that have been subject to raids. When a new farm has been raided, you’ll receive a notice in your inbox with information about the farm, the raid and instructions for donating. We do not take or process your donations; rather, we simply alert you by email every time there’s a need.

Your Next Steps

Sign up for farm raid fund alerts.
Make the commitment to donate at least $5 to each raided farmer. (You can donate to Estrella and Morninglandhere).
Tweet this post.
Share this post on facebook.
Email this post to a friend."

Essential Oils

2010-11-16T09:52:00.000-08:00

I am a total perfume abuser. I am fully aware that I will be that stinky old lady that you sit next to on a plane that makes you choke due to the fact that she took a bath in perfume this morning. I've accepted it. But talking to a friend a while back made me realize how perfume, though seemingly harmless, contains chemicals and yucky stuff that you don't want on your skin, let alone absorbed into your blood stream.

So I've turned a new leaf...well the leaf is turned over about 80% of the time. I picked up some essential oils- the real stuff not the synthetic kind- and have been using this as my perfume instead. I put a few drops in my face lotion or on my neck and wrist. A little goes a LONG way so make sure you use just a little or dilute it in a carrier oil or lotion.

The benefits are both physical and mental. As your nose smells and your body absorbs the oil your brain will be stimulated, calmed, etc., depending on which essential oil you use. Essential oils have also been used for centuries to cure an infinite list of ailments from sinusitis to nausea and everything in between. Furthermore, you smell oh so good simply and naturally without traumatizing everyone around you. Everybody wins:)

Scroll to the bottom of this web page for a list of ailments eased by essential oil use.
http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Many-Health-Benefits-of-Essential-Oils

Pumpkin Pie Whoopie Pies

2010-11-15T15:56:00.000-08:00

I just made this delicious recipe from a great blog I love to read, Deliciously Organic. It is the perfect fall dessert and super easy to make. It is also really easy to adjust the recipe (some of the ingredients may be only available at a natural grocer).

There are so many yummy ways to add to or switch up this recipe...let your creative juices flow! Or just enjoy as is. A fluffy pumpkin cookie with a maple cream cheese center...can't go wrong with that!

Click on the link below to be directed to these decedent dessert!

http://deliciouslyorganic.net/pumpkin-whoopie-pies-with-maple-cream-cheese-frosting/

Is there any thing better than a sun salutation in the morning?

2010-11-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

If you learn and practice no other asanas (poses) in yoga...which i don't recommend because they are all amazing!...I urge you to at very least learn Surya Namascar A, also known as Sun Salutation A. This is a series of postures that bring heat to the body and awakens the mind. It also pays homage to the beautiful sun that brings life and warmth to our lives and to the world around us.

So how does one do a Surya Namaskar A series? Easy...

Wake up slightly before the sun is rising in the morning. It is also really nice to do this at sunset. Set your mat facing the sun in a nice quiet room with plenty of natural light. I like to turn on some nice, relaxing music. My favorite is so cliche...Norah Jones "Sunrise"! But its really sets the mood :) Try it without music too...its a nice time to be alone with your thoughts and to realign yourself for the day ahead. Also, once you get the swing of it this feels so nice with your eyes closed.

1) Start with your hands at hearts center in Tadasana or Mountain Pose. The four corners of your feet balanced evenly on your mat.

2) With an INHALE lift you arms to the sky to Urvha Hastasana, lifting your heart and bending back slightly.

3) Leading with an EXHALE, with a flat back fold forward from your hips into Uttanasana or Forward Fold.

4) INHALE your hands to your shins or fingertips to the floor and lift up with a flat back to Ardha Uttanasana or Halfway Lift.

5) EXHALE back down to Uttanasana.

6) INHALE your feet back to High Plank or Adho Mukha Dandasana.

7) Exhale down to Knees, Chest, Chin. This is where you drop your knees to your mat, keeping your butt in the air, then lower your chest, then chin to the mat.

8) INHALE pushing your body through to Cobra pose or Bhujangasana.

9) EXHALE back into Child's Pose of Balasana and then push up to Downward Facing Dog or Adho Mukha Svanasana.

10) Take several deep ujayii breaths and on an EXHALE look between your hands and step or jump your feet between your hands.

11) INHALE to Ardha Uttanasana again.

12) EXHALE to Uttanasana.

13) INHALE your arms all the way to the sky back to Urdvha Hastasana.

14) Finally EXHALE your hands back to hearts center at Anjali Mudra.

There you go...you just did one Sun Salutation! Well mentally at least, which totally counts. Repeat this as many times as you would like. Be mindful and graceful with your movements. Its not a race but instead an elegant dance with your body. You will notice that when you do multiple Sun Salutations your mind and body will move into an effortless meditiation that is amazingly nourishing.

Doing this in the morning with the rising sun will bring a new meaning to your day as well as a new outlook that you will carry with you through the next 24 hours. Namaste.

Farmscape: a play documenting the changing rural environment.

2010-11-09T10:17:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I went to see a play about the detrimental effects of large-scale agriculture on small-scale farmers and farms. The dialogue in the play was all directly quoted from interviews of real, modern day, Iowa farmers. The actors were made up of local Boulder and Denver community members who all, in one way or another, are involved in the local Colorado food system. With a cast full of local organic farmers local food advocates, the play hit close to home for both cast and audience.

The issues in the play are real...and real scary. As Americans we are not only polluting our earth, but also polluting our health and our communities. It is nearly impossible to survive as a local organic farmer these days when having to compete with industrialized agriculture. And there is almost no incentive for young farmers to get into farming due to the finanical hardships of organic farming. The average farmer age is 58...so what happens to organic, local food in 30 years?

In the 50s we spent 50% of our income on food...now we spend 11%. What that means is we want cheap food, fast. But what people don't realize is the increadible amount of work and the vast amount of variables that go into growing quality, delicious, organic food. Food quality has no importance to modern day Americans. But is there anything more important than what you put in your body? The energy that fuels you, keeps you healthy, happy, and alive? I think not.

We need to start supporting these farms so we will always have fresh, seasonal, organic, local food available to us. And it starts with consumers. If we demand it, it will thrive. We know our dentist, we know our doctor. Why do we not know our farmers?

And as one old free range turkey farmer quoted so eloquently, "You may not be paying much now for your food, but in the end you will be paying a ton for your health care." What makes more sense to you?

Farmscape is traveling around the country right now. If you would like to host this play in your area contact the playwrite Mary Swander at http://www.maryswander.com/.

Amaranth...its whats for breakfast

2010-11-04T10:57:00.000-07:00

Did you know that reheating oats causes them to lose much of their nutritional value? I had no idea- I do it allll the time! Recently a friend studying nutrion told me about this. She also told me how she likes to eat amaranth as her breakfast grain, instead of the typical oats that you think of when you think "hot breakfast". Researching amaranth a bit more I realized that this tiny little grain is actually an ancient grain of the Aztecs loaded with nutrients like calcium (2x as much as cows milk!), vit. B, vit. E, and a ton of fiber. It is also super high in protein and good fat which means it keeps you full utill lunch.

I like to eat it for breakfast mixed with a scoop of almond butter, some nuts, and a little raw honey. You can also add cinamon to make it a cozy winter breakfast! It is best when soaked over night in water, maybe even with a bit of lemon juice. I never do that but I don't mind my breakfast porrige being a little crunchy.

Then cook as you would oats...

1) 0.5 cups amaranth with 1.5 cups water (or part water part milk, almond milk, etc.) and a little salt and butter.

2) Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and cook for 30 mins-ish or until water has been absorbed.

3) Once cooked add your toppings. Homeade yogurt is a delicious mix-in as well.

There are a million other ways to cook amarath and its delicious at any meal. I encourage you to step away from your old faithful oatmeal or toast and get creative (and nutritious) with breakfast!

Homemade Yogurt

2010-11-02T12:48:00.000-07:00

When I studied abroad in France my host mom would always make her own delicious, thick and creamy yogurt that we would eat for breakfast every morning with her homemade jams and chutneys. It was so delicious and sour that it tasted best just plain.

I have been wanting to make my own yogurt for a while now and decided today was the big day.

Here is how it goes...

1) Heat 4 cups of farm fresh milk in a double broiler to 180 degrees. I think the fattier the milk the better but that's just me :) You will need a cooking thermometer for this.

2) Once milk reaches 180 degrees keep it at that temp for one minute and then cool to 115 degrees by removing it from heat.

3) When cooled to 115 degrees add 1/2 cup of yogurt with live cultures. Should be able to find easily at the health food store.

4) Pour mixture into glass jars (Ball Mason jars are what I used)

5) Now keep the mixture at 110 degrees for 4-6 hours. Put jars in a (hot) water bath in your oven at the lowest temperature or just the oven light on depending on your oven. (FYI: This part is a pain and has convinced me to yet a yogurt machine that keeps the milk mixture at 110 degrees easily and effortlessly without having to sit in your house for 6 hours checking your yogurt every five mins. yup, i did this.) Once firm refrigerate to firm up a bit more. Add yummy jam, honey, almond butter, etc. and enjoy!

Yoga Nidra...a nap yoga style!

2010-10-19T09:57:00.000-07:00

The subject of my yoga training on Sunday was Yoga Nidra, a style of meditation that I had never tried or knew much about...oh man was I missing out! For some reason this style is not very widespread in the West but we need to start requesting it at our studios because it is heavennn!

Basically everyone gets under blankets on top of their mats as if they were taking a super long cozy savasana. The teacher then leads you through a deep relaxation and guided meditation. As your body completely surrenders you start to hover between sleep and awareness in this amazing meditative state called the hypnogogic state. It is said that one hour of yoga nidra is equivalent to FOUR hours of sleep! Their are even masters of this that live completely on yoga nidra...never sleeping!

Yoga nidra has numerous psychological, physical and spiritual benefits. Most of all it de-stresses you while rejuvenating and energizing your body and mind at the same time! Like I mentioned many yoga studios don't have these classes yet so ask for them. And until one is offered there are a ton of great cds and books out there that you can buy to do a yoga nidra practice at home. A good one is Richard Miller's CD. Also one of my teachers has a CD now. His name is Jeremy Wolf and he has the most sooooothing voice EVER so I would totally recommend that one!

Happy napping...I mean nidra-ing!

Farm to Table restaurants...everyone's doin' it!

2010-10-15T08:59:00.000-07:00

Like I have mentioned before, Denver and Boulder are really progressive about the farm to table movement, especially in their restaurants.

The bar at Salt Bistro

Recently, I went to a delicious, fairly new restaurant called Salt in Boulder that prides itself in its use of local farm ingredients from the Boulder area. The restaurant is situated in the old "Tom's Tavern" location. And was it oh so good!

To start we had a yummy warm flat bread with peaches, melted gorgonzola cheese, and prosciutto with a light dressed salad on top. The sweetness of the peaches with the saltiness of the prosciutto and bite of the cheese was such a nice combination.

For an entree we had sweet corn and shiitake risotto with steak on top, which was their lunch special. It was super creamy with large bits of shiitake and sweet corn just as promised, and the steak was cooked and seasoned to perfection. Overall a great meal. The ambiance of the place is really cool too; exposed brick, open kitchen, and most of the interior is made from recycled and re-used materials keeping with their focus on sustainability. I highly recommend Salt for a great meal or just a cool place for a drink.

Some other restaurants in the Denver/ Boulder area that focus on farm to table cuisine...

Denver:

True Farm to Table...eating a delicious meal using
farm ingredients right in the farm fields!

Shazz Cafe and Bar
Duo
Fruition
Root Down
Z Cuisine
Fuel Cafe
ChoLon

Boulder:
Black Cat
Cafe Aion
Salt
The Kitchen
Q's
Frasca

Cute way to reuse glass bottles

2010-10-12T11:43:00.000-07:00

Use old glass milk bottles, jam jars, and spaghetti sauce jars to store rice and grains! A practical and attractive way to eliminate waste while making your kitchen "country chic"!

It's like butta baby...

2010-09-30T10:29:00.000-07:00

Maybe I am the only one in the world that didn't know how eaasssyyyy it is to make your own butter but either way I'm still going to share the top secret recipe of butter making...

Step 1) Buy delicious, local cream.

Step 2) Mix the heck out of it with an electric mixer until the butter separates from the buttermilk. (*Use a big bowl or the buttermilk will end up all over your face like it did to me)

step 3) Salt or season with fun stuff like honey, chive, roasted garlic, etc.

step 4) Eat.

I know, I know this is all very complicated...

I think it was the "churn" word that always tripped me up when it came to butter-making. But it is sooo easy and it will be the best tasting butter you have ever had, promise!

The KEY is to use fresh, straight from the farm, "coat your finger like pudding" thick cream. The rest is like butta baby!

Strawberries Don't Go Well with Football...

2010-09-28T10:18:00.000-07:00

It's been forever since I have written! Busy, happy summer and busy, happy move to Colorado has left little time to write. I'm hoping to be more diligent now that I'm settled...I have so many new things to share!

Colorado has brought many great new things, one of them being the large amount of local organic farms in the area and the community's deep passion to eat locally. I have been lucky enough to volunteer at a local organic farm 2-3 times a week since I have been here and it has really opened my eyes to the importance of growing your own food and eating locally and seasonally. This value was first made clear to me in Barbara Kingsolver's "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle"; a book that has completely changed my life and way of thinking (sounds cliche, I know, but it's true!). Now with all that I have learned through farming too, this way of life and way of eating is the only thing that makes sense.

So how does one eat locally and seasonally? Seems like a pain but it's really just a little more effort and awareness. The key is research, research, research and plan, plan, plan.

1) Farmer's markets are everywhere now and by shopping at a farmer's market you can guarantee what you are eating is local AND seasonal. Some stay open during the winter also!

2) Research your local farms and stop by their farm stands to pick up your veggies, eggs, milk, and sometimes meat for the week. Joining a CSA during the spring-fall season is a great option too! Many farms will also allow you to trade volunteering for vegetables.

3) Train your self to cook meals based on what is in season. You won't be eating strawberry pie while watching college football games in the fall or fresh brushetta with Christmas dinner but you will get to enjoy that season's own seasonal and delicious food.

4) Understand that you aren't going to be eating those delicious exotic fruits and foods as often. It is an adjustment if you are used to eating kiwi for breakfast every morning but when you realizes the amount of emissions created by that one kiwi and how those emissions are effecting the earth, the kiwi probably won't taste as sweet.

5) Look for farm to table restaurants in your area...a ton are popping up everywhere allowing you to get away from the stove and enjoy a night out sticking with your "eating local" values!

6) When you do buy non-regional products make sure they are labeled "fair trade" ensuring fair compensation and treatment of the farmers and workers who grow these products for our enjoyment.

7) Eat whole, non processed foods. It is easier to ensure local ingredients when you are eating a squash as opposed to over-processed foods with 10 or more ingredients. Not to mention whole foods are a billion times healthier for your body! It is fun being challenged to use new seasonal ingredients that you are not used to cooking. It will expand your pallet and your cooking skills.

We have become a culture so accustomed to getting what we want, when we want it and it's time to step back and simplify. There is something so beautiful to understanding how the Earth grows different nutrients for us in each season to sustain us and keep us nourished. It is also time to start to take notice of what we are eating and where it is coming from and stop ignoring the harm industrialized agriculture is putting on our communities, our health, and our Earth. Eat Local!

The Vegetannual...your guide to eating seasonally

2010-07-12T14:07:00.000-07:00

I am reading an amazing book right now called Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver (book report to come!). The author heavily supports the idea of eating locally and seasonally and provides the illustration below as a guide to eating seasonally. This "plant" is termed a "vegetannual". It acts as though all vegetables come from one plant and it shows what is in season each month during the summer. Obviously not everything is on this picture but it's a fun guide to use when trying to remember how to eat seasonally.

Why eat local and seasonal food?

Better for the environment because your food isn't being shipped all around the world
Your money goes directly to your local small-scale farmers
You will get the most nutrients out of your fruits and vegetables because they go from farm to table in a very short amount of time
And best of all it tastes infinitely better than the bland, out of season fruits and vegetables in the grocery store!

Organic...it just makes sense

2010-07-11T08:44:00.000-07:00

The other day a boy that I work with had an allergic reaction to a banana. Having heard from other people that sometimes fruit allergies are from the pesticides that are sprayed on the fruit instead of the fruit itself I asked him if he ever ate organic bananas? His response was..."What does organic mean?" Coming from California; the land of organic obsessed, health-crazed hippies, I was really surprised by this question. I briefly explained that organic was a term used for food that is grown without the use of any chemicals. His response was, "Shouldn't all food be grown like that?"

Well, yes...yes, it should. When you put it simply like that it is really a no-brainer.

Peppermint Oil As A Muscle Soother

2010-07-10T20:17:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine recently told me about a natural remedy she uses for menstrual cramps. She explained how rubbing essential peppermint oil on her abdomen relieved her cramping tremendously. After doing some research I learned that peppermint oil has been used for muscle relaxation for centuries. It can be used on aching arthritic joints and on sore muscles after exercise. Remember to mix the oil with a carrier oil to dilute the potency before rubbing it on your abdomen and NEVER ingest the essential oil. Next time consider this homeopathic remedy before popping the Advil!

And the spirit of yoga spreads...

2010-07-09T11:51:00.000-07:00

One of the many amazing things that I have been fortunate enough to do this summer while in Northern Wisconsin is to teach yoga classes to fellow staff members at the resort where I work. We have been doing an hour and fifteen minute classes in a basement on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays and in the short time since we have started there has been so many exciting and special moments in our little class.

We started with three people...me and my two (very loyal and supportive!) friends. We were all nervous...me having never really taught a full class, totally lacking confidence and unsure of myself. My friends, inexperienced yogis...scared of the unknown and self conscious about being in this new, vulnerable environment. Crammed into a little basement I worried how would I be able to help these new yogis fall in love with yoga without a serene and gloriously decorated yoga studio, no fancy schmancy mats and props, no incense wafting in the air just a modest little candle lit in the corner of the basement, no studio front full of racks of lululemon clothes and funky jewelry for sale...void of all of the things that wowed me when I first walked into my first yoga class!

But I was immediately reminded as we got began our first class that people don't fall in love with the superficial parts of yoga...they fall in love with the practice of yoga. How after a class you feel as if nothing in the world would bother you, the sun looks a little bit brighter, the world looks a little bit more beautiful, there is a calming happiness inside that illuminates you from the inside out, and for a least a little while you are a better, more calm, more kind version of yourself.

We have had several classes now and each time someone new joins the class. We now have seven students really crammed into the basement. Some students use towels instead of mats, sometimes we whack our neighbor when we come into warrior 2, but the feeling in our tiny studio is one of joy, community, and commitment. It really has been amazing to see how fearless all of these new yogis have been. Their open mindedness and willingness to step out of their comfort zones never ceases to amaze me. They are all completely present and engaged...with such impressive focus and effort. I love witnessing all of these new yoga addictions coming alive...talking excitedly after each class about the new pose they conquered and how they almost fell asleep in savasana! It is a contagious excitement that teaches me to see yoga again as an excited beginner, falling in love all over again with my practice.

So in the middle of northern Wisconsin, in a little basement full of beach towels, makeshift yoga outfits, and music playing off of a laptop in the corner, the spirit of yoga spreads. And for an hour and fifteen minutes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday there is a group of seven people trying to become the best versions of themselves and the world exactly as its supposed to be.

A summer without TV…gasp!

2010-06-23T15:22:00.000-07:00

I am so incredibly lucky to be spending the summer on a lake in Northern Wisconsin. It is a beautiful place with walking trails through the woods, paddleboards, kayaks, and small sailboats at my disposal, and the ability to water-ski whenever I want. Truly heaven. The only thing this place doesn’t have is TV…

Now I am the type of person that can sit down to watch one show of The Real Housewives of NYC and 6 hours later be glued to the TV in the same spot never having gotten up once. Once I start…I can’t stop. I know what I am watching is all garbage, a waste of time, and against so many things I believe in but TV really can be as addicting as crack! But the thing about TV is that when you don’t have it…you don’t miss it.

Though it has only been a few days sans TV, I know this is a change that I will carry with me after the summer is over. To relax I take a walk or bring a book out to the lake. I have hours to do yoga instead of wasting hours watching shows that I swear make me more stupid. It has been such a positive change so far that I am committed to go without internet and TV at my next apartment…think about the amount you can save each month without a Comcast bill! It may seem a little wacky at first but I promise that you will get so much more out of your day when the TV is off.

Naturopathic Doctor

2010-06-14T03:48:00.000-07:00

Per recommendation of a friend who is exactly in line with me regarding all things food, green, and health I decided to go to my annual doctor's appointment at SF Natural Medicine. SF Natural Medicine is an amazing office in Potrero Hill that specializes in chiropractic and natural medicine. Basically, they treat all aliments through nutrition, homeopathic and botanical medicine, and physical medicine like chiropractic work acupuncture and massage. Here are a list of the things I loved about my appointment!

My 2.5 hour...yes 2.5 hour...appointment enabled me to go through my long list of questions and concerns regarding my body without feeling rushed out due to another patient waiting behind me. We literally went head to toe and assessed all of my current issues/ questions.

My wonderful doctor, Dr. Amy Day, treated my aliments through nutritional changes in my diet, which I am a firm believer in! She was so knowledgeable about all things food and nutrition and knew what to change in my diet in order to easy any problems I was having.

The people there weren't weirdos. I think people perceive naturopathic doctors as "witch doctors" or crazy hippies. It was completely to the contrary...everyone was so professional and knowledgeable that you felt like you were at a typical doctors office that happened to be extremely intimate, progressive and calming.

She patiently explained everything she was doing. Back to the "no rushing" thing...she slowly and clearly explained why she was doing what and understood that I had the right to know what was being done to and what was going on with my body.

The idea of prescription drugs for the quick fix was no existent. She wanted to cure any problems that I had by finding the root of the problem and stopping it naturally.

Overall it was a very positive experience. We discussed diet issues, birth control, alcohol consumption and exercise as well as going through my annual gynecological appointment. The only negative was the price...of course its not covered on my health insurance...boo...but I truly trusted Dr. Day more than any other doctor that I have been to in the past.

When finding a doctor it is crucial to find someone that you trust that has no other motivations than to help you achieve optimal health. When your ideals and beliefs line up with your doctor regarding how your body should be treated you are able to get the most out of your doctor visits and learn new ways to stay healthy holistically and toxin free.

Lessons of Yoga

2010-06-09T13:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I walked into a new yoga class and was reminded of how rewarding yoga is...and also how humbling yoga can be. I was unable to make my usual class so I decided to go to a class that I had never been to before. After scanning the class I was a little disappointed...most of the woman were a lot older than me and i quickly made the assumption that the class was going to be extremely mellow while I had been hoping for a rigorous, high energy flow class that day.

I couldn't have been more wrong. The class kicked my butt. It was strongly focused on alignment and holding challenging poses which allowed us to slow down and really examine our bodies in each posture. And the older women who I immediately dismissed as fragile and novice were amazingly strong, flexible, and energetic...proving again that yoga does not discriminate and that people of all ages, shapes, backgrounds, etc. are on an equal playing field when it comes to yoga.

During the first downward facing dog of our class the teacher came over to me, the young and cocky one :), and made adjustments to my down dog, the first pose you learn in yoga! It was humbling, which was just what I needed at that moment. I love that about yoga, as soon as you get too confident it puts you back into place. And it always seems to know just what you need at every given moment.

There are so many lessons about life to be learned through the practice of yoga. So put your ego aside, open yourself up to the unexpected, and each time you step onto your mat practice humility as if is your first down dog. Because its easy to forget that its not about getting there but all about the journey!

Banana Pecan Smoothie

2010-06-08T12:19:00.000-07:00

I was sitting outside today enjoying the perfect California sun when all of a sudden I had an overwhelming urge for a banana smoothie...

There is a restaurant around this area called the Falafel Drive-In that serves the most amazing banana milkshakes and so I thought I would try to replicate a vegan (and less fattening!) version of this perfect summer drink. I found a great recipe and tweaked it a little so here it goes...hope you enjoy!

Banana Pecan Smoothie

2 sliced bananas
1/3 c dry uncooked oats
2 tbsp ground flax (keep whole flax seeds in freezer and grind yourself when needed)
2 c vanilla almond milk (use more or less to get the desired consistency of your smoothie; vanilla rice milk or soymilk are great substitutes)
1/4 c chopped pecans (walnuts are great too)
1 c ice

Add all ingredients to blender, bananas first, and blend.

I love recipes like this that are so simple to make yet so satisfying. And with the added flax you are getting a great source of omega 3 and fiber. This decadent poolside treat taste all the better knowing that its good for you too! Happy summer...finallllyyyyy!

Rose Water and Rose Oil

2010-05-09T10:16:00.000-07:00

My mom has the most beautiful and fragrant roses in her yard. We have been using them for happy spring centerpieces and drying the rose petals for potpourri. Recently I found some other great uses for them.

I'm reading a book right now that takes place in the 1700s in Europe and there is all of this talk about the queen always smelling like rose water...it sounded so delicious and regal that I decided to take it on myself! Well "taking it on" makes it sound much more difficult than it actually is...if you can boil water you can make rose water. The only tricky part is not getting pricked by the thorns of the rose plant which is by far my favorite feature of a rose...you have to work to get it. Rightfully so for something that beautiful!

The process is simple...gather 1 cup of rose petals, bruise them and place them in a large glass bowl. Then pour 1 pint of boiling water over the petals and let steep overnight in a covered container. Voila! It can be used as a toner or just as aromatherapy. I just dip a cotton pad into in and wipe over my face. It is supposed to help with dry skin and has anti-aging properties.

Rose oil is almost as easy. I gathered a bunch of rose petals, orange blossoms (which smell so delicious!) and two mint leaves, bruised them and mixed in sweet almond oil (olive oil works too). I let it sit over night and then filtered the oil, making sure to squeeze excess oil out of the petals. It makes a wonderful essential oil to be used for perfume, aromatherapy, or whatever else you can think of!

I'll leave you with this last thought that I read the other day...
"When you sleep don't count sheep. Count your blessings, then sleep."

Perfect Chicken (or Tofu) Noodle Soup!

2010-04-29T13:27:00.000-07:00

This recipe is sooo simple but so very delicious! I stole it from a friend who is a great cook so I can't take credit for it. It is truly a great staple recipe and a great base for an infinite number of other soups like making it into a minestrone by adding a jar of marinara sauce and a bunch of vegetables.

Chicken or (Tofu) Noodle Soup:

1) 1) Saute chopped carrots, celery and onion on medium heat in a large soup pot with olive oil

2) 2) When onions are translucent and carrots are getting soft fill soup pot ¾the way full with cold water and bring to a boil.

3) 3) Once water is boiling add about 3 spoonfuls of veggie bouillon* to water. Add another spoon full if it doesn’t taste salty enough. The kind I use is Better than Bouillon- vegetarian flavor.

4) 4) Add a box of noodles and keep at a boil until noodles are cooked. I like to use bow ties or the wheel noodles, something small and hearty. Shells are good too mixed with orzo. Halfway through noodles cooking add kale and broccoli.

5) 5) Once noodles are cooked turn off heat and add chopped cooked chicken or tofu.

6) How to cook the chicken: 20 min 350 with evoo and s&p

Grilled Veggie Sourdough

2010-04-28T09:59:00.000-07:00

Two nights ago we had a delicious grilled veggie sandwich for dinner. I was too lazy to take a photo so here is an impostor photo of it!

Grilled Veggie Sourdough:

1) Marinate zucchini slices (longways), red bell pepper (halved), and portabella mushrooms in balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and s & p.

2) Place in tin foil packets and grill on BBQ until soft or bake at 400 degrees for about 20 mins.

3) Steam spinach and set aside.

4) In a sauté pan grill sliced sourdough bread (the big rounds that come pre-sliced work best).

5) Stack sandwiches with veganaise (or regular mayo), spinach, raw red onion slices, marinated artichokes, and the bbq’d veggie mix, making sure to slice the portabellas after they are cooked.

6) Serve with sweet potato fries. Thinly slice sweet potatoes and season with your favorite seasonings and olive oil. I like Tony's seasoning. Bake at 425 for 40 mins or until done, turning once.

Enjoy!

Joy...its whats for dinner

2010-04-20T12:19:00.000-07:00

After going to a great Jivamukti yoga class this morning I am feeling very joyful so I thought that I would share this with you...

Happy Tuesday!

Vacation Must Haves

2010-04-14T20:18:00.000-07:00

Since my recent posts have been kind of intense I thought I would lighten it up with sharing some of my favorite things. Just having returned from an amazing vacation in Maui (well technically I was working but it was a lot more vacationing than working), I decided to compile a list of my favorite summer/vacation products... hope this gets you excited for sweet summertime!

Jason Family Sunblock SPF 36
-Has that amazing Hawaiin Tropic sunscreen smell that makes me think of sunny California beaches. Goes on great and stayed on through countless ocean and pool dips.

Alba Hawaiian Green Tea Sunscreen SPF 30
-perfection. love this stuff.

Alba Un-Petroleum Plant-Powered Lip Care Tangerine SPF 18
-I don't know what goes on with my lips when I'm on vacation but I must have a weirdly protruding lower lip because it always gets horribly sunburnt! This stuff worked wonderfully and smelled and tasted yummy.

Alba Hawaiin Mango Moisturizing Conditioner
-Sunsets, sandy beaches and Mai Tais bottled up into a conditioner.

Alba Kona Coffee After Sun Lotion
-Sensing an Alba trend here? I love this brand...safe and smells oh so good.
-I used this after sun lotion every day after my shower and smells as promised. Definitely soothes a sunburn after laying out by the pool all day.

Aveda Be Curly
-There is really no point in fighting my crazy fro...I mean hair in the humid Hawaiin climate so I guess if you can't win 'em, join 'em. This stuff is great for encouraging your natural wave.

and I can't forget my favorite water bottle...

The countdown till summer begins...

You owe it to yourself to read this book! The China Study by T. Colin Campbell

2010-04-13T09:57:00.000-07:00

After hearing about this book from a few sources a friend graciously lent it to me claiming that it was truly a life altering read. I just got this book yesterday and CAN NOT put it down! If there is only one book you pick up this year this must be it. Everyone owes it to themselves (and to their health) to read this book.

The China Study discusses the vital relationship between nutrition and disease prevention. I am already one who wholeheartedly believes that diet is the main cause of the horrible state of American health and Dr. T. Colin Campbell supports that notion with his many respected years of research in the science industry.

Basically, Americans put bandaids (ie. prescription drugs, surgery, etc.) on their health problems costing the US and themselves incredible amounts of money. Dr. Campbell suggests fixing the root of the problem, poor diet, with a plant-based diet. By changing our diet these debilitating American ailments running rampant in our society such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and cancer can be prevented and, in many cases, reversed.

People are meant to eat simple food, grown from the earth. It is really not a complicated process. Fad diets, protein supplements, vitamin supplements are all useless and unnecessary when we are eating the way that we are intended to eat. This does not seem like rocket-science, but the current American diet is shockingly off base. Dr. Campbell backs up his findings with logical and startling research. This book is written in a way that speaks to the reader as an intelligent individual who deserves to know the truth about leading as healthy of a life as possible.

When it comes to your health there is nothing more important. Give yourself the power of this book.

Get OFF the bottle..."Tapped" the movie

2010-04-02T17:32:00.000-07:00

There is a new and amazing documentary out about the detrimental effects of the bottled water industry to our health and to our environment. This movie is called Tapped and after watching this film once, I promise you will never pick up bottled water again. If you think about the logic behind bottled water... well there is no logic behind bottled water. These mega companies take water from our community water sources (aka where we get our tap water), bottle it, and sell it back to us for 1000%...yes i said 1000% more than its original cost. So we are now paying for something that we have always had for virtually free... sounds pretty stupid on our part.

You may think that bottled water is healthier for you but that means one thing...the water companies' billions of dollars spent on marketing to you is working. Tap water is constantly tested and the public water systems are required to tell consumers where their water comes from, how it is treated, and what contaminants it contains. Bottled water doesn't have to tell us any of this. Studies have found E. coli, synthetic organic chemicals, other bacteria, and ARSENIC in tested bottled water! Not to mention the BPA and other cancer-causing toxins. Bad for our budget and really bad for our health.

And bad for the environment. So now we not only have started paying for something that we already get for free, but also have ruined our environment by doing so. Americans use 29 billion single serve bottles of water a year. That's Americans alone! So not only is there a plastic mass 2x the size of Texas floating in the Pacific Ocean from all of this plastic waste but the creation of these billions of bottles are polluting the environment and making the people in the communities near these plants very sick.

So what do we do?

1) Well we STOP drinking bottled water. Those great re-usable stainless steel water bottles are so convenient and cute. They will save you money, save the environment, and save your health. Make sure to get ones that are BPA free though.

2) Recycling is great but reducing your usage is better.. You can't recycle all of the bottle, it a costly operation, and it uses a ton of energy. The real answer is to cut waaaayyyy back on your plastic usage. Remember the saying reduce, re-use, recycle? Reduce and re-use first and then recycle everything else.

3) Get a filter. If you are worried about the quality of your tap water get a basic water filter to fit into your fridge. Or better yet invest in a kitchen filtration system or whole house water filtration system.

Bottom line...Get OFF the BOTTLE!

CSA: Community Supported Agriculture

2010-03-27T11:01:00.000-07:00

Community Supported Agriculture programs, or CSAs are gaining speed in the organic farming world. Great news for farmers, the environment, and us eaters!

So what is it exactly? It is a program that you can join at your local organic farms where you pay a set membership fee in return for a "share" of their yield. Each week you pick up your box of various veggies just picked from the farm. The make up of the box varies week by week which adds to the excitement! Some farms even include other products like eggs, milk, etc., depending on what type of farm it is.

So why is this so great? First of all it supports local farmers which is always a good thing! The more local organic farms, the more organic food for you. It is great for our environment too because it cuts out the pollution caused by shipping produce to your local organic grocer as well as eliminating the waste from packaging. And the greatest benefit, though unmeasurable, is how CSAs truly strengthen the community and create a connection between people and their food. Some farms even let you work a few hours at the farm each week to get a discount off your subscription cost. It is so important to see where your food comes from, to see the work that goes into it, to know the people that grow it. We have lost that in our culture today, and food truly is the soul of every community.

So get into a CSA with your family, your roommate or join on your own. Get to know your farmers, your farm, your community. Cook together, eat together. That really is the good stuff in life.

My new love...Yin Yoga

2010-03-19T12:46:00.000-07:00

After coming home from a wonderful and crazy weekend with friends in Steamboat, I wanted to get to a yoga class but didn't have the energy to go to a fast-paced vinyasa class. I was exhausted, sick, and run down so I decided to go to a yin class instead. Typically, I like really physically challenging classes that make me sweaty and sore after (sounds sick when i put that in writing!), but after this last Yin class my perspective has TOTALLY changed!

Yin yoga, for you new yogis, is a more passive form of yoga where you hold poses for minutes at a time, stretching deep into your body's tissue. It is the balance and compliment to yang (or more active) styles of yoga. Yin classes are very meditative, where the instructor typically reads passages, comes by and massages the students, and plays very calming music that puts you in a relaxed/trans-like state. Most of the postures are practiced while you sit or lay on your back...not a down dog in sight! It is heaven! The hour and a half flew by and it felt as if I was in a semi-consious state the entire time while the postures massaged and nurtured my body.

I totally now understand how necessary this style is to compliment more active yoga styles, or active types of exercise. Your moods, energy levels, and physical and mental needs constantly change and fluctuate, so it is great to alter your yoga practice accordingly. After taking this class on Monday I felt rejuvenated and excited about this new addition to my practice. I encourage everyone to add a yin practice to their lives, and its perfect for new yogis...a lot less intimidating then most styles and your body and mind will thank you for adding it to your life!

Put down the crack...I mean coffee

2010-03-09T13:44:00.000-08:00

Ok I feel like this topic may anger some people. Coffee is heaven...bliss...life...I get it. I love coffee, have been completely addicted for years now, but that word"addicted" was the red flag. I would wake up in the morning, stumble to the coffee pot, and pour myself a heaping cup and slowly wake up with each sip. When that cup was done I would feel incredible, full of energy, ready to take on the day....until exactly 3pm when I would CRASH. I would feel terrible after that and start the cycle again the next morning.

I actually had no intention of giving up coffee until I read something about green tea one night and decided to try it the next morning. And it stuck...haven't had a drink (of coffee :)) in the morning since. I don't think its supposed to be that easy, but it was. And it is really amazing how much BETTER I feel now. No 3pm crash, no addiction. I'm awake even before I have my cup of tea, which was never the case with coffee. I just feel good.

There are so many benefits of green tea, too. It's said to prevent cancer, raise the metabolism, reduce the risk of heart attack and so much more. Stores like Teavana have awesome tea combinations and are getting more and more popular. And if you really feel like having a cup of coffee some days then have one. It will taste that much better. Why not give it a shot!

Spring time: a time of sunshine, life, and new beginnings

2010-03-07T13:00:00.000-08:00

The sun has been shining, the weather is getting warmer, and the garden is blossoming with veggies, tulips, and daffodils. Spring is definitely here!

Spring is a time of renewal, change, and hope. The world comes alive after the sleep of winter. It's a perfect time to start something new, make healthy changes in your life, and reevaluate your goals and priorities.

I've been trying to figure out the next steps in my life and what it is that I really love to do. It's scary sometime to venture off of the beaten path and follow whats in your heart. But the most rewarding things come from the most unlikely and unknown places. Decided to apply to a yoga teacher training program....eeek! No time like spring to take a leap of faith and go for it...however little or big that "it" may be!

What's in your deodorant???

2010-02-28T15:05:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it seems like we can never win with this whole "natural and sustainable" thing. You try your best to eat organic and then they tell you to eat organic and local. You take the leap and become a vegetarian and then you are told that you should become a vegan. You make a serious effort to bring re-useable bags to the grocery store just to find out that you should only use cloth re-useable bags. You invest in a prius to help the environment and then are criticized about the harm of the batteries...you get the point. It definitely seems like an uphill battle sometimes. My goal of this blog is not to make anyone feel helpless or judged. It is to inspire people to start making changes and to enable you to be informed about things that you deserve to know about and that you are not being told.

Unfortunately, right now as American consumers, we need to do our homework. We spend countless time researching what kind of car to buy, gym to join, jeans that will make our butt look great... now its time to start researching what we are putting in and on our body.

So we all get why organic food is important but what about our skin care products? Our skin is our largest organ and absorbs anything and everything that we rub into it. We don't spend all of this effort eating chemical free food just to put a bunch of harmful chemicals into our body through our skin. Its time to change our beauty products too. Luckily the organic beauty product industry is becoming hugely popular and widely available. Consumers are demanding organic products and companies are stepping up to the plate. But buyer beware. Just because something says natural or green...doesn't mean its organic! Look for seals that say "100% organic", "organic" (95% of product's ingredients have to be organic), or "made with organic ingredients" (70% of product's ingredients have to be organic). Labels can be tricky and deceiving so do your homework! Whole Foods has a great beauty section and their staff is very helpful and knowledgeable about the products that they carry, so don't be afraid to ask for help! We are all learning and you won't know unless you ask!

In the SF mag article below one founder of an organic skin care line explains why she got into the organic skin care industry. She was working at a big commercial skin care company was making their lotion when she accidentally spilled some of the chemicals on her table. When she returned to clean up the chemicals she realized that the chemicals had eaten through her table!

Whatever I'm putting on and in my body should not be able to eat through plastic within a matter of minutes...what do you think?

Some great articles on this info...

http://www.sanfranmag.com/story/saving-our-skin

http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/natural-beauty-cosmetics/natural-beauty-product-labels

Artichoke, sweet onion, and roasted red pepper pizza

2010-02-26T08:47:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday! Going to the King Tut exhibit today...should be really interesting!

Made this pizza the other day and it was delicious so I wanted to share it. Totally copied the cheese-less Annie's pizza I used to buy at whole foods. So easy to make and like I said, completely delicious!

I bought a corn meal pizza crust from Whole Foods because they didn't have any pizza dough but I know TJs carry a variety of pizza dough and its easy to make your own if you have some time.

I sauteed two sweet onions and a red bell pepper separately and covered the corn meal pizza crust with the sweet onions, then the red pepper, then some diced marinated artichoke hearts. I topped it all off with some pine nuts and put it in the oven for 15 minutes or so just to heat up the crust. Yummmm....

Great book..."Farm City"

2010-02-25T09:46:00.000-08:00

I'm coming into month three now on this crazy vegan adventure. Still using the term "vegan" loosely because I'm sure that I have unknowingly eaten non-vegan things here and there.

It is so funny because to so many people this whole vegan thing is SO weird...except to Californians. I am reading a book right now called "Farm City" (which is great and hillarious) and the author put it so perfectly. To put it into context the author was trying to eat only from her downtown Oakland backyard "farm" for a month. She was at a bbq and describes the people at the party.

"The gluten-intolerant munched on ears of corn in the corner. The vegans had their own grill set up with toasting tofu. The raw-food vegans were sipping on freshly macheted green coconuts. The pescatarians were shoving ceviche into their faces. Defining ourselves by what we eat- that's what we do for fun around here."

This quote cracks me up because it is so true. Californians are so progressive, weird, and great in that way! I have been feeling so so great since trying this whole vegan thing, have cooked healthy dinners most nights, learned a ton about nutrition and about new vegetables and ways to cook them but really think that it makes it a lot easier living in this area. Not saying that it can't be done successfully anywhere though! Just be prepared to have people look at you like you have a third eye sometimes :)

Yummy beauty products...hold the parabens

2010-02-06T20:33:00.000-08:00

Lately I have a serious problem with buying, making, and obsessing over all things bath and body. Good news for you, bad news for my bank account. Here are two products that I'm crazy about right now. Both products are paraben-free and sulphate-free...scary things found in most beauty products that can cause cancer, reproductive issues, skin damage, and liver poisoning.

The first one is Dessert Essence Organics Italian Red Grape Shampoo and Conditioner...mmmm smells like grape bubblicious and the scent stays in your hair for hours.

The second is Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser. Seriously unbelievable stuff. So creamy, smells amazing, and makes your skin glow! They have tons of other flavors but this one is my favorite!

So much easier to enjoy your bath when you know you are doing right to your bod and the environment!

Vegan Eating Adventures

2010-01-31T09:55:00.000-08:00

Its now been about a month since I made the switch to eating vegan. I hesitate to use the term Vegan because there are a lot of little no-no's that I definitely do. Vegan's aren't supposed to consume honey (whoops), leather (not ready to throw out my boots...yet), and gelatin (this sneaks into everything!). I also take fish oil supplements so that automatically counts me out I guess but you do what you can and truthfully I have been feeling great with the new diet!

So I took my mom to a vegan restaurant yesterday called Good Karma Vegan Cafe. All of their food scraps go to the little farm that I wrote about a few blogs back, Veggielution, to compost. It was a really cool little restaurant with local art on the wall and community ads everywhere. The menu changes daily. While we were there the menu included vegan chicken wings (which really looked exactly like chicken wings!), mashed potatoes, jamaican jerk tofu, and more. I opted for the stuffed bell pepper (which came with black beans and a spicy ranch), tofu curry, and some brown rice.

Mom got the same except instead of the curry she got an indian lentil dish. For desert we split an amazing oreo cupcake! It was ALL vegan...and all delicious!

Indian Inspired Vegan Spinach Tofu Wrap

2010-01-17T13:52:00.000-08:00

So last weekend I went to a great little farmer's market by my house. So fun to take your time and browse around all the little stands on a weekend. I love buying from local vendors. Its better for the environment (less emissions, often times lots of organic choices) and being surrounded by all these awesome ingredients. always inspires me to cook something new, yummy, and seasonal. Heres a picture of what I got...

A lot of dishes that I make are recipes I try to replicate after eating something at a restaurant or from a market like whole foods. I had a spinach tofu wrap the other day and it was so good! I've been eating vegan for a few weeks now and am kinda forced to cook for myself more often so heres the recipe I whipped up. Hope you enjoy!

Indian Inspired Vegan Spinach Tofu Wrap:

1) Sautee 1 diced white onion in oil.
Add two bunches of spinach and continue sautéing.
Season to your liking with salt and pepper, ginger powder, garlic powder, curry, cinnamon, and turmeric.

2) Once completely cooked down, turn off heat and add a package of firm tofu chopped into large cubes.

3) Put mixture in a food processor (blender works too) and puree or whip till desired consistency. Remove from food processor into large bowl.

4) Sauté some quartered mushrooms and fold into blended spinach/tofu mixture.

5) Fill whole wheat tortillas with spinach mixture (making little burritos) and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or so just to crisp tortillas a little bit.

So easy! You can also freeze them and heat them up for a quick lunch.

Have a great Sunday!

Finish it off with amazing vegan cookies...

http://www.cookiemadness.net/?p=1349

A little farm work is good for the soul

2010-01-10T11:31:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I volunteered at Veggielution- a great little urban farm in the middle of a rough section of San Jose. There is something so amazing and beautiful about this place. Though it would seem like an unlikely spot for a farm due to the maze of freeway off ramps in the background, Veggilution seems to work in perfect harmony with its urban surroundings.

Running amongst the rows of lettuce, onions, and garlic are clucking chickens, peacocks, and screaming children. There are people weeding, watering, and composting- all working as one as if they had been working together for years. You hear laughter and storytelling- explanations of how each person found the farm and the different reasons why they love it. The very essence of community. The smell of our delicious lunch being cooked on an outdoor picnic table wafts by. After the work is finished we sit down to enjoy a yummy pot luck of veggie soup, homeade bread, a beautiful salad, and drumsticks, continuing stories and picking out seeds for the next season. Afterwards. each of us take home some of the newly harvested veggies. The rest goes to the local soup kitchen. How the world is supposed to work.

Helping people help themselves

2010-01-07T09:07:00.000-08:00

Maybe its the new year or maybe its my turning the wise, old age of 24...either way my (unhealthy and kinda obsessive) reality show habit has slowly been replaced by reading in the evenings. Currently by my bedside table is "Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child" (thanks Mom!), "The Art of Simple Food" by Alice Waters, "Edible Schoolyard" by Alice Waters, and "Food, Inc." by a collection of industry experts.

Obviously I'm obsessed with the whole slow and sustainable food thing and the problems with the American food industry. And clearly I'm not alone. It seems like so many things and people in my life right now are passionate about the same cause. My friend Libby (Berkeley grad, hippie, smarty pants) is moving to Houston to use her fluency in Spanish and her background in Public Health to teach nutrition to low income areas. Another friend, Erica, who is in the Peace Corps in Honduras is trying to start a vegetable garden for her community so they don't have to make the 2 hour trip to get fresh veggies. More and more families are growing their own vegetables in their backyard to feed their own families. All so inspiring and an exciting change to our country's current desire for quick, processed foods.

In our newspaper the other day their was an article about La Mesa Verde, a non-profit that teaches inner city families how to grow their own vegetables in their tiny backyards. As I looked more into it I saw that their were multiple organizations doing this in the Bay Area- both for low income communities and schools. Teaching people and school children about nutrition, while making healthy, organic food available inexpensively from their own backyards and schoolyards. Instead of making people stand in line for food stamps so they can go get the cheap processed junk at the crappy markets by their houses they can have access to the same quality veggies that were previously only affordable by the middle/upper class. They are taught how to prepare these vegetables into yummy and filling meals. Sustainable food that keeps coming back that families and children grow themselves for themselves. HELPING PEOPLE HELP THEMSELVES. Not just giving someone a handout and sending them on their way to be in the same predicament in a week. Is this the answer to our food crisis? I think its a great start.

10 reasons to go vegetarian once a week...

2010-01-05T22:19:00.000-08:00

I know to some of you meat eaters this may seems like an impossible feat, but going vegetarian at least once a week can have an amazing impact on your health as well as the environment. Here are 10 reasons to suck it up and pass on the meat just one little day a week. I promise it is easier than you think and you will feel so great you may make the switch for good!

1. Because we have no idea what those weird chemicals are doing to our bodies. 95% of the pesticides that we ingest are from meat and dairy. Always look for organic meats on the other days!

2. Decreases pollution and lessens your impact on global warming.

3. Meals are cheaper when they are meatless.

4. You can never eat enough veggies.

5. You will be saving a ton of water. 84,000 gallons a year!

6. Because E. coli and salmonella aren't that fun.

7. You will have an increase in energy.

8. You will lose weight and get a hot bod.

9. You will live longer. Vegetarian diets decrease your risk of heart disease and cancer.

10. Because animals are treated HORRIBLY in factory farms. They cut chickens' beaks off so they don't peck each other, pigs' tails off, and feed calves a formula filled with cow blood. Enough said. Watch "Food, Inc." or read "The Omnivore's Dilemma" and you will be sold.

And the list goes on...

Its a new year...why not start with this!

Make Your Holidays A Little Greener

2009-12-13T21:31:00.000-08:00

The holidays are here and its definitely more of a challenge to be eco-friendly during this time of year. In the US, we produce around 25% more waste during the holidays. Therefore, now is important than ever to be aware and educated in the ways in which we can eliminate unnecessary waste. Here are some tips to reduce your waste this Christmas and make your holidays a little greener...

1) Make your own gift wrap. By getting a little creative you can save money and "green up" your holidays by not buying any gift wrap this year. There are countless alternatives to store-bought gift wrap. Using old fabric scraps is a great way to get rid of old fabric while wrapping presents in a fun and unique way. You can even add velcro to fabric to make a great re-usable gift wrap. Old newspapers and magazines are another great, green option for wrapping paper. I love the idea of putting a gift inside a gift. If you are giving a smaller gift why not put it in a cool basket, flower pot, or jar. And make sure to save the gift wrap that comes on your presents. Perfect to use for next year's gifts, Christmas cards, and Christmas decorations.

2) Give green gifts. Try to buy gifts that are not over-packaged. Books are always great, re-useable options. Avoid plastic toys. Instead look for sustainable materials such as wooden toys, cotton or wool toys, or toys made from recycled materials. Make your own baked goods, jams, soaps, or sewing projects. Not only green but so personal and really appreciated. Give gift cards or certificates. Concert tickets, spa services, and restaurant gift cards are all great options that limit holiday waste.

3) Avoid gifts that require batteries or include reusable batteries. Alkaline batteries, when discarded, produce toxins that are both extremely harmful to our health and to the environment.

4) Bring your own re-usable shopping bags. Its such an easy change to make that can really make a difference. Many people are bringing their own bags when they grocery shop now, which is GREAT, but make sure you bring your own bags for ALL shopping trips, including Christmas shopping. Leave your bags in the trunk of your car so you have them ready for any impromptu shopping. My mom introduced me to a great re-usable bag that wraps up in itself and fits into your purse so you always have one with you. Worst case, if you don't have a bag on you, hold your purchase in your hand. We are so used to getting bags for every little purchase, but often times don't even need them. Once you become conscious of this habit it becomes second nature and you will never use a plastic bag again!

5) Recycle your Christmas tree and lights. Although a potted tree that can be replanted after Christmas is the best option, there are ways to be environmental about a traditional "cut down" tree. Cities now offer tree recycling programs that turn Christmas trees into mulch used in playgrounds, hiking trails, landscaping, and gardening. Old burned-out Christmas lights can now be recycled too. Christmas Light Source Recycling Program will recycle the materials and donate the proceeds to a literacy program. Also, avoid artificial snow on your Christmas tree and use baking soda instead. Much better for the environment and for you to inhale.

6) Recycle old gadgets. Cell phones can be donated or recycles. Bring old toasters, microwaves, tvs, alarm clocks to thrift stores or shelters. They may be old to you but still valuable to many others.

7) Get off mailing lists. I was getting a million magazines and catalogs after ordering things online for work and was calling each company one by one which was such a pain! Finally someone told me there was a way to do it all at once. The DMA (Direct Marketing Association) website enables you to eliminate all of the mailings through one site. Click here for the steps to stop all the wasteful and annoying mailings.

There are a million and one ways to reduce waste be more eco-friendly this holiday season- pick the ones that fit best in your life. Personal green gifts will often save money too... a win-win for everyone! Have a safe, happy, and green holiday!

Dangers of VOCs

2009-12-09T23:17:00.000-08:00

Recently I purchased a really cool piece of furniture from a second hand and unfinished furniture store in the Santa Cruz area called Sweet's in the Nude. The piece I bought is an old amoire-ish thing with an old window pain as the amoire door. I bought it black but wanted to paint it a light sea-foam so I went into the paint store down the road to pick out some paint. A should be simple trip to the paint store turned into a much bigger process when I was given the option of picking my paint based on VOC levels.

Most people probably have no idea what a VOC is... and are probably pronouncing it "vock" like I embarrassingly did to the really cute worker that was helping me in the paint store. VOC (pronounced "V.O.C." just in case you run into your own cute worker at the paint store someday) stands for "Volatile Organic Compound". Technically, they are gases that certain solids or liquids emit. For example, VOCs are the chemicals that you smell when you paint a room or strip furniture. Although this term may not yet be in your vocabulary, VOCs are definitely already in your home. VOCs are found in common household cleaning products, most aerosol products, non-natural air fresheners, adhesives, dry-cleaned clothes, fabric softners, and moth balls just to name a few. VOC exposure can be very dangerous to our health and the health of our environment. Exposure to VOCs have been know cause immune system damage, brain damage, loss of coordination, liver, kidneys and central nervous system damage, asthma, and even cancer. The list goes on and on. As far as the environment goes, VOC are largely responsible for increasing ground level ozone pollution (aka smog). Really scary stuff for something that many of us were not even aware of!

Though VOCs are fairly impossible to avoid, there are things you can do to limit your exposure to VOCS. Going back to my paint store anecdote, paints are now offered in "low VOC" or no VOC" options. They make it so easy for you. I just selected the sea foam color I was looking for off of a regular Benjamin Moore color swatch and the paint store matched the exact color in a "no VOC" Benjamin Moore paint called "Natura". The paint was great...no smell, went on smoothly, easy to wash off my hands and clothes, and my amoire looked great in the end. It was a little more expensive, but an easy choice when compared to the option of breathing in dangerous chemicals for months, maybe years.

We are so lucky to have all of the options of green products available to us. I urge you to make the little switches that will really lower your exposure to VOCs. Using "No VOC" or "Low VOC" paint when painting the interior of your house or furniture is a big one. Your house is where you spend the majority of your time and where you are exposed to the majority of VOCs. Also, use green cleaning products. My favorite store bought cleaners include Mrs. Meyers and seventh generation. These are available at most natural grocers and are making the move to many conventional grocery stores, especially Mrs. Meyers. Not only are they safe for you and your family but they smell great and are much safer for the environment. If you are hesitant to spend the extra money (though it really isn't that much more of an expense- I promise!) make your own natural cleaner. People have been using lemon, vinegar, and baking soda for centuries! It's stuff you already have lying around the house, it works great, is cost effective, and 100% safe.

The ways are limitless in which you can lessen your VOC exposure such as finding a "green" dry cleaner in your area, buying organic bedding/clothing, and using natural air fresheners. The most important thing is to be proactive and educated. There are countless websites and resources dedicated to this topic. When it comes to your health, it is always worth the little extra effort.

simply, naturally, homegrown...

2009-12-08T08:15:00.001-08:00

Welcome to simply, naturally, homegrown! This is my first time doing this so bear with me. After researching countless blogs for everything from how to recycle Christmas trees to how to make natural lip gloss I decided to put all of my findings in one place. My goal with this blog is to pass along all of the great things I come across from my favorite vegetarian recipes to great homemade gifts and everything in between. Kind of a collaboration of all things that interest me. Anyone who knows me knows that my interests are ever changing, to say the least, so the content of this blog may also be that way! My general believe is that people want to be as green, as creative, as healthy, and as natural as possible; they just don't always have the tools to do so. I hope to pass along to you information and ideas that lead to a healthier, simpler, and more blissful existence. Sometimes it feels as though you can never be environmentally-friendly enough, kind enough, eating healthy enough. It can be a bit overwhelming, but it truly is about picking and choosing what works for you. So you are a big carnivore and are NEVER going to put down that hamburger. No big deal, but maybe you try to be a vegetarian once a week. Maybe you are trying to be environmentally friendly but are finding it hard during the holidays. Why not opt for creative wrapping ideas like fabric, newspaper, or old magazine pages to eliminate the need to buy more wrapping paper? Like I said, its about picking what works for you and not feeling pressured to completely change every aspect of your life at once. Once you start making little changes here and there it will become exceedingly easier to spot things in your life that can be improved upon. Its an ever evolving process. But with a little effort and a creativity we can all simplify our lives and do our part. So here it goes... thanks for reading!