Broccoli with pumpkin seed and oregano spread

For dinner tonight we had pork loin, potato with onion (home fried, really, just baked instead of fried), salad, and broccoli with a really yummy garnish that I used in a not-so-garnish sort of way (I just mixed it right in...).  I went looking for some pumpkin seed recipes, since I just roasted some yesterday, and found what I was looking for at Cookus Interruptus.  Their pumpkin seed garnish recipe calls for parsley, but mine is long since done in the garden, so I used oregano, which is still going strong.  It was delightful - AND the camp guy and the kids liked it, too!  I ground up about a handful of the seeds in the coffee grinder, then added them to the bowl with some garlic, salt, oregano (finely chopped) and olive oil.  Mix it up and toss with the warm broccoli - YUM.

Thanks to the folks at Cookus for the inspiration and the funny video...

Jean

So we were at Animal Kingdom yesterday, looking at birds and the camp guy turns to me and in a serious voice says "Do you think parrots are narcissistic? Everyone's always telling them they're pretty... "

I love that guy!

Resources for a healthier planet

Since we're being so healthy this month, here are a few ideas for a healthier planet... and budget!

Try these free publications from Energy Star to help you save resources and cut your energy bills.  There's even one for kids!  And they have a kids page, to help you start teaching your children about good resource management.

Take the GE Lighting Pledge and get some free coupons for energy saving bulbs.  The statistics about if we all changed our light bulbs are pretty amazing!

Stay healthy!
Jean

Really, target?
Really?!
I'm sitting in the carpool line looking at your weekly ad flyer and turn the page to halloween costumes...
What has happened to the idea that gender stereotypes are bad? Can't we see some chef or dr costumes, please?

Ten reasons to eat local food

Here is a list that I totally stole from the Eat Local Challenge website...

"10 Reasons to Eat Local Food

by Jennifer Maiser
Eating local means more for the local economy.  According to a study by the New Economics Foundation in London, a dollar spent locally generates twice as much income for the local economy.  When businesses are not owned locally, money leaves the community at every transaction.  (reference)
Locally grown produce is fresher.  While produce that is purchased in the supermarket or a big-box store has been in transit or cold-stored for days or weeks, produce that you purchase at your local farmer's market has often been picked within 24 hours of your purchase.  This freshness not only affects the taste of your food, but the nutritional value which declines with time.
Local food just plain tastes better.  Ever tried a tomato that was picked within 24 hours?  'Nuff said.

Locally grown fruits and vegetables have longer to ripen. Because the produce will be handled less, locally grown fruit does not have to be "rugged" or to stand up to the rigors of shipping.  This means that you are going to be getting peaches so ripe that they fall apart as you eat them, figs that would have been smashed to bits if they were sold using traditional methods, and melons that were allowed to ripen until the last possible minute on the vine.
Eating local is better for air quality and pollution than eating organic. In a March 2005 study by the journal Food Policy, it was found that the miles that organic food often travels to our plate creates environmental damage that outweighs the benefit of buying organic. (reference)
Buying local food keeps us in touch with the seasons.  By eating with the seasons, we are eating foods when they are at their peak taste, are the most abundant, and the least expensive.
Buying locally grown food is fodder for a wonderful story. Whether it's the farmer who brings local apples to market or the baker who makes local bread, knowing part of the story about your food is such a powerful part of enjoying a meal. 
Eating local protects us from bio-terrorism.  Food with less distance to travel from farm to plate has less susceptibility to harmful contamination. (reference)
Local food translates to more variety.  When a farmer is producing food that will not travel a long distance, will have a shorter shelf life, and does not have a high-yield demand, the farmer is free to try small crops of various fruits and vegetables that would probably never make it to a large supermarket.  Supermarkets are interested in selling "Name brand" fruit: Romaine Lettuce, Red Delicious Apples, Russet Potatoes.  Local producers often play with their crops from year to year, trying out Little Gem Lettuce, Senshu Apples, and Chieftain Potatoes.
Supporting local providers supports responsible land development. When you buy local, you give those with local open space - farms and pastures - an economic reason to stay open and undeveloped.
Download a printable version (pdf) of this guide.
Originally published by Life Begins at 30, August 2005."

Thanks to Life Begins at 30 and the Eat Local Challenge website for this handy list!
Jean

Happy October, y'all!

I told you that I joined the Healthy You Challenge, so I thought we'd spend some time this month focusing on health, since that's what I'm thinking about, and this is my blog....m'kay?  And ladies, since we're talking about being healthy, and October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I'll go ahead and remind you to do your monthly check of the girls.  If you're as helpless at this as I am, I suggest you find a doctor/website/friend that can give you advice on how to do it properly!  But it's important to give yourself a "baseline" of how your breasts normally feel, so that you can notice any changes more promptly.  Guys, I'm not leaving you out - you can remind the women in your life to take care of this simple step...

October is also the month for the Eat Local Challenge.  What does eating locally have to do with being a more healthy you?  Well, for me, when I pay attention to where my food comes from, I eat better and appreciate it more. We'll talk more about the benefits of eating locally, and get some handy tips for incorporating more local foods into your regular menu in some upcoming posts.

On a more personal level, I did pretty well with my own healthy challenge today.  All except for the birthday cake...

Baby steps.

Jean