A few months ago our oldest (now a college Freshman) opened the kitchen cabinets and said, "there's nothing to eat."

 I replied, "make some pasta."

He said,  "I don't know how to boil water."

"You take AP Physics and you don't know how to boil water?"

He told me, "that's a mean thing to say."  And, he was right.  So, I taught him how to boil water, add the pasta for the right amount of time (Al dente), drain, add some olive oil and a few fresh basil leaves from the garden.  Simple and fast.   And, I never touched a pan, box or sink.

Wonder what's in the cabinet/mini fridge in the college dorm room?

Do you eat real? Take the Quiz

Food Day - October 24th: Food Day is a nationwide celebration and movement for healthy, affordable, and sustainable food.  Check out www.foodday.org for details and to take the quiz.

Take the quiz. Are you gambling with your health?

Do you eat real? Take the quiz...

HFCS vs. Sugar, and vice versa: eat less of both!

HFCS vs. Sugar, and vice versa: eat less of both!

• SuperMom101
• September 27, 2012
• 6:14 am

Dear Marion,

Terrific post! It’s so strange, America (and her children) have never been fatter or sicker and we can’t seem to figure out why. Meanwhile we have the food and beverage industry telling us everything is fine with our food supply, and compared to 40 years ago, I need a PhD in Chemistry to read food labels.

After I experienced cancer at age 38 (nearly 12 years ago) I keep it simple. If I can’t make it in my kitchen (i.e. high fructose corn syrup) I don’t want it in my food.

Thanks again for your post. I love the one comment about dirt….so true.

Common sense is not so common. – Voltaire

America's new kitchen?

Organically, Locally, or Conventionally Grown Produce..Which is Best?

 Joan Salge Blake on Boston. com recently asked the question:

For the best nutrition, the produce that you should buy is:

1.    Organically grown* 
2.    Locally grown 
3.    Conventionally grown 
4.    What’s on sale 
5.    Any of the above

Organically, Locally, or Conventionally Grown Produce..Which is Best?

Cilantro and tomates from (last year's) garden

I'm more concerned about the quality of my food...not the quantity.  Plus, I might eat less and waste less.  I've eaten grocery store tomatoes and my taste buds and eyes tell me that they can't have the same nutritional content as above.

*

*USDA-approved organic farms cannot use conventional pesticides, ionizing radiation, or synthetic fertilizers. Sewage sludge cannot be used. Organically raised animals must consume no antibiotics or growth hormones, must eat organic food and have access to the outdoors. Genetic engineering is not allowed. 

Arsenic on rice and in chicken feed...who knew

Maryland First State to Ban Arsenic in Poultry Feed

According to a recent article in the Food Safety News - the move follows a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) study released last summer that found increased levels of inorganic arsenic in the livers of chickens treated with the Roxarsone. The new data raised concerns of a "very low but completely avoidable exposure to a carcinogen," said Michael Taylor, FDA's Deputy Commissioner for Foods, when FDA announced the company was withdrawing the drug in response to the study's findings.

Arsenic anyone?

Arsenic in chicken feed is more alarming than arsenic in rice.  (At least on rice it can be rinsed off.)  This is exactly the reason I no longer purchase meat from factory farmed, brand name stores.  

Meet the Scientific “Experts” Claiming GMO Foods are Safe

"If you were looking for a pediatrician, would you take your child to an MD that is working for Coke, Burger King, and the sugar lobby? Then why would you believe what that same doctor has to say about the safety and labeling of genetically engineered food?" - Michele Simon - Appetite for Profit (a public health lawyer who has been writing about the food industry since 1996.)

Terrific post (see link below) on the so called "experts" with industry ties that continue to tell us nothing is wrong with America's food supply and we (the consumers) don't need to know that a food that's banned in most of the world doesn't need to be labeled in the U.S.  America and her children have never been fatter, sicker or more malnourished and it's so strange...we can't seem to figure out why.  

Meet the Scientific “Experts” Claiming GMO Foods are Safe

As the founder of Western medicine said:  Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food. - Hippocrates

Can you pick out the which "food" has been 
genetically engineered with insecticides, 
fed growth hormones and antibiotics 
and has added sugar?

p.s. As my grandfather used to say, who signs the paycheck will tell you a lot about the person cashing it.

Do I need a PhD in Chemistry to manufacture "Nature's" Calorie-Free Sweetener?

Do I need a PhD in Chemistry, white lab coat and clean room to manufacture this?

Truvia^® natural sweetener is made from Truvia^® stevia leaf extract, the best tasting part of the stevia leaf, erythritol and natural flavors. See our ingredients page for more detailed information. - www.truvia.com*

Hmmm....leaf extract (whatever that is), erythritol and "natural flavors"- let me check my kitchen cabinets and see if I have any - Nope!

*That's strange.  I thought that I was reading the ingredient page.  

Ingredients: Erythritol, rebiana, natural flavors

Nope!  No "rebiana" in the kitchen cabinets either.

Breaking: BPI Sues ABC News For $1.2 Billion Over “Pink Slime” Coverage

Breaking: BPI Sues ABC News For $1.2 Billion Over “Pink Slime” Coverage

Be sure to check out the comments - they are a fascinating commentary on what consumers want and industry spins: The Lunch Tray

Ms. Bettina Elias Siegel does a terrific job in moderating her blog.  In her own words: Because news of this lawsuit is likely to stir the passions of LFTB supporters, before I sign off I'd like to remind everyone of my stringent comments policy.  Sadly, this reminder is necessary in light of the profane and sometimes overtly antisemitic comments which LFTB supporters have regularly attempted to post on this blog over the last several months.  Please be aware that all such comments will be automatically deleted at my discretion and the commenter's IP address will be placed permanently in my spam folder.  Thank you.

ABC News sued by BPI

Looking for something to do with the little ones? Check out your local farm's harvest season

http://newtoncommunityfarm.org/education/classes/

Newton Community Farm

Healthy beverage guidelines: always read labels...even on water?

Is this "healthy"?

We're told to drink lots of water on a daily basis.  Had no idea that Dasani water is "enhanced" until my niece that lost over 70 lbs on Weight Watchers showed me the label.  So thankful she did because now I even read the labels on water.

Healthy Beverage Guidelines by Harvard School of Public Health