Here we are and already in the month of May.  So much going on.  EWG has come up with the new produce pesticide list.  The dirty dozen and clean 15.  You can download it at http://www.foodnews.org/EWG-shoppers-guide-download-final.pdf     

     You know how I always like to write and speak about the consciousness in cooking.  Well, I've been doing some research and have a few comments.  Consciousness in cooking is a absolute.  However, consciousness is selecting your food is another consciousness that is necessary for your health.  I stumbled on a great website to give you all kinds of information on food alerts to watch out for and products to avoid.  They actually rate the companies I'm sure you are all familiar with in the health food industry. 

The website address is:  www.cornucopia.org. 
Within that site they have an organic soy scorecard.  Eden Brand Soymilk, soybeans, tofu, miso and soy sauce have a total score of 955 out of 1000 points available.  (Eden has always been my personal favorite).Then they rate the soy with 5 beans being the highest score Eden received 5 beans.  Nasoya by Vitasoy received 778 points out of 1000 and rated with 4 beans.  The 365 Whole Food brand was 740 out of 1000 and 4 bean rating.  Greenwise soy milk by Publix was rated 115 with a 1 bean rating.  Mori Nu Tofu the tofu in the soft container that does not have to be refrigerated has no soy rating.  This also goes for White Wave tofu, Costco soymilk and more.   Have a look and learn.   What does this all mean? 
This is a quote copied from their website,
"The Cornucopia Institute’s Organic Soy Report and accompanying Scorecard rates companies that market organic soy foods, such as soymilk, tofu and “veggie burgers,” based on ten criteria that are important to organic consumers’ showcasing companies that are truly committed to the spirit and letter of the organic law while exposing those that do not rate highly or were unwilling to share their sourcing and production practices in our survey.
The scorecard sheds light on questions such as:
- Do the soybeans come from American organic farmers, or are they imported from China, India or South America?
- Is the company devoted to supporting organic agriculture by sourcing only organic soybeans and marketing only organic products?
- Does the company use loopholes in the organic standards to source cheaper non-organic ingredients even when organic ones are available?"

We all know that the Health food industry has become big business and we need to be conscious of that when we select our food. See what major corporations have purchased health food companies and are using major corporation tricks to make more money.   It's all happening and the food supply is becoming more and more compromised.  There are loopholes in the laws and major companies are getting away with it and making big profits.  See for yourself and visit this site it is vitally important to you and your health.  Take control for yourself.  Please give this website your time.  Be aware, be healthy  and be conscious.  Do not let it shake you - take the necessary steps you need to make for yourself. 

Peace
Donna

These are some recipes dedicated to the easy vegetarian chefs, the ones who like it simple but tasty. When I first began to prepare vegetarian food, I had  a background of heating water and poking holes in a lean cuisine bag. I soon realized that if I was going to thrive as a vegetarian and get all the necessary nutrients, cooking would be essential.

 Around the same time I became a vegetarian, I also began to study meditation. Having gotten used to dining out every meal, cooking seemed about as fun as chopping wood. But I soon learned with a little soothing music and a recipe simple enough to allow me to meditate in motion, cooking became a time to unwind, relax and enjoy myself.

One evening though, I realized meditating while cooking does more than just make it more enjoyable. My mother had been in a frenetic, anxious mode scrambling around in the mutli- task world. In the midst of this, she whipped up broccoli and pasta and I ate it. That night I went to bed and noticed that my whole body was anxious. My muscles were shaky and I felt like I had been plugged into a high voltage socket. I was wondering what was happening and then it dawned on me. Everything is energy and when I ate that food, I also consumed the energy that poured into the preparation process.  I had taken some bites of frenetic multi-task anxiety.  Cooking in meditation then became a mindful act of love for the self and others, a way of nourishing every thought and cell with peace. 

Below are a few easy recipes to nourish the body and soul. They are ideal if you have minutes but not hours, if you love raw food but not completely and if you're healthy but like it savory. Enjoy!


Good News about the Fresh Herbs in these salads!

Cilantro detoxifies the blood and is a rich source of vitamin A and the antioxidant beta carotene. It also helps reduce high blood sugar and some have used it in chelation therapy to remove heavy metals from the body.

Parsley is rich in beta carotene . It contains vitamin A, C, B12 and K. Parsley is one of the world''s seven most potent disease-fighting spices which also include Ginger, Oregano, Cinnamon, Turmeric, Sage, and Red chili peppers.  In addition to containing chlorophyll, folate and calcium,  it is also high in iron. This helps build up the blood and comes to the rescue of fatigue which seems to be the ailment of the day. The high vitamin C content assists the absorption of iron.  Because of its  high digestive enzyme content, it improves the digestion of proteins and fats.
 
Pasta Salad
1 small box of bowtie pasta or penne pasta
2 heads of broccoli
1 large red pepper (chopped)
3/4 cup finely chopped parsely (great source of Iron)
1 can quartered artichokes
1 can dark red kidney beans rinsed and drained
green or black olives to taste
1 lemon
salt and coarsely ground pepper to taste
olive oil


1) Boil the pasta. Al dente tastes best with this dish.
2) In a large bowl, add the chopped red pepper, green or black olives, the parsley, artichokes and rinsed kidney beans.
Tip- the parsley is better when finely chopped because it releases the flavor and has a less scratchy texture.
3) The only vegetable that you cook is the broccoli. I also chop up the stem. Season it with basil, hing and some olive oil as it's cooking.
4) Rinse and drain pasta. Add it to the large bowl along with the broccoli.
5) Pour olive oil over the contents. The dish should glisten. If the pasta salad is too dry, the ingredients don't release all their flavor.
6) Squeeze one medium sized lemon over the dish. You may want more. It's up to you how far you like to push the thermostat of tart.
7) Add salt and pepper to taste and enjoy.

Quinoa Salad
 1 cup of quinoa.
 1 can of black beans rinsed and drained
 1 large red pepper chopped
1 royal gala apple chopped ( squeeze a little lemon on it to keep it from turning brown)
Capers to your liking...I usually put about 1/3 cup in
1 cup finely sliced celery
3/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
1 medium sized lemon
salt and pepper to taste


1) Rinse a cup of quinoa and cook. The flavor will be better when rinsed because there is a bit of a bitter residue on the seed.
2) Add chopped red pepper, cilantro, rinsed black beans, capers, chopped apple and celery to large bowl.
Tip- The celery tastes better if it is thinly diced in slivers.
3) Add cooked quinoa to bowl. Pour over olive oil so that the contents glisten and look visibly moist.
4) Squeeze lemon over dish and add salt and pepper to taste.

     I 'm sure you all heard by now but in every health food store in America is a company specializing in grains, beans, nuts, flours etc.  called Bob's Red Mill.  On Feb 15 Bob turned 81 years old.  Bob was still very active in running his company.  But on Feb 15 Bob gave his employees a gift for his birthday.   He wanted to reward them for all the years they had worked there.  He wanted his legacy to maintain the high levels of standards he worked so hard to keep.  He knew if he sold the company or turned it over to his family it would somehow change things.  On Feb 15, the employees of Bob's Red Mill became part of a stock ownership program.  Now that's something else.  Go Bob! Happy Birthday to Bob and Happy Day to all his employees.   "Hard work provides rewards" said Roger Farnen, Quality Assurance Manager
"The partners could have sold this company many times for a lot more money, but to them this company is about so much more than the money,"said Operations VP Dennis Vaughn.
Isn't that a great story.  This is what we are all about. 
     This story was in every newscast across the country because it kind of brings us back home.  Back to where there were values for others and real concern for the well being of others.  Appreciation which was never forgotten not for one minute.  We need more stories like this to keep reminding us of simple things which mean so much.
     By the way, I was reading  something by Michael Pollan the other day and he said to be aware when you go into a supermarket.  Processed foods are always located in the middle of the store.  This is the "stuff that never goes bad."  Physically it's not good for you, and it takes the most fossil fuel to produce it.  He also goes on to say, that the outside perimeter of a grocery store is the healthiest areas.  They rot or go bad the quickest.  "Food should be alive, and there fore it should die," he says.
If you stop and think about this, the outside perimeters are generally, fruit produce, dairy, etc.  So the next time you go grocery shopping in a supermarket be aware and use your own judgment to guide you into healthy eating habits.  Start at the supermarket and take it home. 
     That's it for now, I'm off on a trip to India this week and will return in two weeks.  See you then
Peace
Donna

     Just recently I went shopping at Whole Foods and was totally frustrated.  The prices of organic produce and fruits were way over the top.  A friend forwarded me some information on Annies Buying Club (http://anniesbuyingclub.com).  I checked it out and decided to give it a go.  You might not get everything you have access to in a grocery store but you  have everything which is organic, grown locally and very fresh.  I love the idea of not  knowing what you will be getting until the day before you are to pick it up.  You see, your order is prepaid a week in advance, and you pick it up on a specified day and time at a designated location near you.  The service spans out from South Florida to Gainesville.
     Taken from their website:  "What is a Buying Club?"  " It is a group of people who share a common goal to save money on quality healthy foods.  By pooling our resources, we create purchasing power to buy food at drastically discounted prices."
It's a wonderful concept and preserves the right of all of us to have quality food at affordable prices. 
     I  joined the club and picked up my first box  yesterday.  It was great.  Instead of long lines in grocery stores and settling for produce I got a box. A woman was standing in her own kitchen with a toddler in her arms explaining the procedure.  All I kept thinking was I think I'm going to like this.   I was overwhelmed  when I saw the box at first.  It was almost like ok here is the box but is it ok to go through it?  I choose not to and carried it out to my car.  I paid for next weeks box before I left.  $45. for all this and it's organic.
     I couldn't wait to get home.  As soon as I got home I began unloading the box.  Potatoes, sweet and white, lacinato kale, chard, carrots, apples, pineapple, blueberries, strawberries, celery, lettuce, tomatoes, cabbage, cauliflower and more.  It was my own private little harvest of plenty.  I hereby declare myself an organic foodie.
     I was under the impression the food I was buying was the best from Whole Foods, was I wrong.  The taste from these veggies was incredible.  You really tasted the foods.  They came direct from the farm to the table.  The taste was undeniably delicious and who better to support than organic and local farmers directly who "promote ecological harmony and environmental responsibility."
   It's all part of the cooking experience isn't it?
  Today I made some Lentil soup and used all the veggies I got yesterday and was it ever good.   Whatever veggies you get in the box creates a challenge to yourself to create a wonderful recipe with them.
     If you live in Florida, give it a try.  It's economical, conscious living, and delicious.

     Cleanliness of mind and body develops a positive attitude toward cooking.  Ask yourself, "Are you considering the act of cooking to be enjoyable or is it a chore?"  Did you ever notice when you really don't want to do something and when you really want to do something, how drastic the outcome could be.  Set the mood and build on the experience, do not turn it into a mundane task.  Have a shower before you actually enter your kitchen to cook.  This will help you to respect the process and lifestyle of cleanliness.  Put on some pleasant relaxing music.  Choose a time to cook when you are all alone and are in your quiet space. 
      Before cooking make sure the kitchen is clean and orderly.  Take out all your ingredients and equipment for the recipe you are preparing.  This will help to make the process easy and a joy.  Whilst cooking avoid doing any other work in between.  Don't even answer the phone.  You will save time and the food will turn out better.  As much as possible, remain in silence.  The silence will make the food very special.  There is something about the silence that makes you handle the food in a very caring gentle way.  Pretend you are making food fit for a King or Queen.   It places a higher vibration into the food creating a healing food.  The purer and peaceful the thoughts in preparation the more personal benefit you will get from the food.  If we cook with those vibrations and intention, the food will absorb that and any impurities will be removed. 
     The three aspects of food preparation are: 
1.  The state of mind whilst cooking
2.  After the food is cooked, sit with it and fill it with love.
3.  Keep it that way even while you are eating
Food cooked in this way works like medicine.
In Peace,
Donna
I hope you check out the recipe section.  I've added more recipes and made some changes.  I've also added some new things as well.   Check it out and enjoy.



    

So many things happening in the world lately that a light Vegetarian Picnic was a fun idea for the Palm Beach Dietetic Association last night.  I did a cooking demonstration and teamed up with Ginny Erwin, author of "What color is my pickle pie"  and we put together a very entertaining evening.  We started with a meditation and sent good wishes and pure thoughts to the people of Haiti. 
The Palm Beach Dietetic Association is a professional organization of Registered/Licensed Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians serving Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, and Hendry counties. Our members are available to provide expert nutrition information and counseling to meet the needs of the community and individuals. For more information :  http://www.pbda.org/
Special thanks to Linda Krentzman for the pictures.

We spoke about considering your kitchen to be the sanctuary for each ones home.  It is the place where food is prepared that can heal, soothe, create and teach.  Keeping negative influences out of the kitchen is so important because of this.  The kitchen should be still and calming.  You should be able to hear the sounds of the kitchen.  Keep the talk to a minimum.  Then, taste the difference when the food is made with so much love and attention without any stress.  It's your private time of the day.  This part of the day will deliver the sustenance your body needs to each cell and organ.  No tension only attention.

We introduced  The Amazing Aduki Shroom Slider Burger with ketchup (Heinz style) a salad and chips.  I had to do some convincing about the taste but one bite from each person in the room helped me along with that one.   Just remember give yourself that one peaceful moment before eating.

Please check out the improved recipe section and your feedback is welcome.  More recipes will be added every week.
Peace,
Donna

TIPS:  Keep on Rolling
If dough sticks to your rolling pin place it in the freezer a few minutes and watch what happens.
Rolling, Rolling, Rolling...once again.

Happy and Healthy New Year to all.

I can safely say that most of us assume that fresher is better - and if you can get locally picked produce or picked from your own garden that is usually  true.  However, if fresh produce is off season, and it has taken days or weeks to get to your local supermarket, you would probably get more nutrients from a frozen organic variety.  Upon my own investigation, I have found that those frozen veggies are frozen within a few hours of being picked, which means they retain their nutrients and flavor.  Frozen organic spinach is delicious when you sautee it in pan with sesame oil and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.  You can even add fresh mushrooms.  Don't overcook the frozen veggies.  Some nutrients need only a little heat to release them for digestion so under cooking them is the best way to do it.  Too much heat, destroys the nutrients.

     The holidays are here no question.  I went to Whole Foods yesterday and finally figured out a way to save money on grocery bills.  Firstly I always carry my shoppers guide to the Dirty Dozen and lowest in pesticide list which you can download on www.foodnews.org.  Then I have a look around the produce section and look for all the veggies which are on sale and locally grown so you don't have to buy organic.  Check your list against the sale items. Mold your recipes around the sale locally grown items.   WhaaaLAAA now you not only saved money but bought veggies and fruits which are healthy and low in pesticides and not necessarily organic.  This is a great tip it saved me about $50 on my grocery bill. 
   Fa La La La La...the holidays also bring food temptation.  To me that's watching everything that comes into my reach and could put those unhealthy pounds back into my possession.  If it winds up in my possession again  then I feel uncomfortable and all the effort I made all year just disappears in one sitting.  Moderation is the best thing to remember. I remember how I used to feel and how good I feel now.   Take a walk even if it's a small one.  Keep moving.  When you eat your food, remember your meditation and don't rush.  Savor the meditation and enjoy your food.  Appreciate good friends and family.  If you are alone this year enjoy the pleasure of your own company.  Treat yourself well.  "Pay attention and there will be no tension. " (Dadi Janki)
     The recipe section should be nearly finished by the first of the year .  By the way, it has been brought to my attention that some new vegetarians do not understand the difference between vegetarian and vegan.  Vegetarian do not eat meat, poultry, fish or seafood.  Vegans choose to eat a more strict diet and do not consume any animal products or byproducts.  Therefore, until I revamp the recipe section butter can replace Earth Balance soy spread if you are vegetarian.  Sugar can replace agave if you are vegetarian.  If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me.   Most products can be purchased in your local grocery store and does not have to be purchased in a health food store.  I personally lean to a vegan diet.   The choice is yours.  Have a wonderful holiday season until next week.
Peace,
Donna
    
    

TIP of the Week
If you are using stainless steel pans, make sure they are 18/10.
To create a non stick like surface on stainless steel mix olive oil and kosher salt.  Dissolve the salt into the oil.  It's like cooking in a nonstick pan.
To clean your stainless pans use Bon Ami  or Bar Keepers friend
both of which are green cleaners.
No need for non-stick and stainless is much healthier.

     That's how it all started.  We began planning a vegetarian dinner for the Super Boys of the Coral Gables Fire Department.  We had 13 wonderful guys with large appetites.
   We served stuffed shells, salad, toasted parmesan bread and chocolate tofu mousse.  It was a great experience even if we didn't meditate.  Next time guys, we will meditate in between bites, including the paramedics.  No joke,  you all deserve a Very Big Thank You for a job well done by all of you 365 days of the year.  This was just a small way to say thanks.  One of the Super Boys told me that in 20 plus years only 3 people had done this for them.  I asked him why he thought that was.  He believes that is because when things so catastrophic happen to someone they don't want to remember them.  They want to forget the incident.
Also, thanks Tim for the flowers you hand picked and arranged.  Special thanks to Don the photographer.  A BIG OM SHANTI to all of you.  (Om Shanti means I am Peace).
     It's all about love and service.  The Super Boys have a love  for humankind and a passion to serve in time of crisis.  The planning committee has that same love for a special type of hunger which feeds the soul.  Then they take that hunger and serve.  When you put all of them together in one room it's a great vibe.

     Happy Thanksgiving.  Give Blessings, get blessings.  Give thanks, receive  thanks. 
The changes in the website are still coming but have a look what we have done so far.  If you notice, we have a recipes section now where you can print individual recipes.  Highlight the recipe section and check it out. We also have an additional section called Special Holiday Recipes. Try them for the holiday. Be patient the recipes are still being  entered so please keep checking back.  We will also be archiving the tips we do weekly so in case you miss one you can check it out in the archive.  Food for thought is also archived now so you can check out any quotes you might like. 
     We are changing to the needs you've all been requesting. 
Hope you enjoy my friend Daniels first taste of ice cream.  Isn't it funny how the body reacts.  It looks like it's telling him, "Don't do it!"  The true story of dairy and chocolate.
     Enjoy.