Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies* (made with freshly ground organic unsalted peanuts)

Our family enjoys these sweet, soft and chewy treats made from old fashioned peanut butter from freshly ground (unsalted) peanuts

Peanut Butter Cookies                                                 
1/2     cup granulated sugar
1/2     cup packed brown sugar
1/2     cup peanut butter (unsalted and freshly made - just organic peanuts)
1/2     cup margarine (softened) we like an Earth balance type product
1        egg
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4    baking soda
1/2    teaspoon baking powder
1/4     teaspoon salt (I omit the salt - there's plenty in the margarine)
1/8 cup semi sweet chocolate chips - if you enjoy chocolate/peanut butter

Mix sugars, peanut butter, margarine, and egg.  Stir in remaining ingredients.  Cover with a plate and refrigerate at least 3 hours.  (We can usually only wait an hour max. and they turn out just fine.)

Heat oven to 375°.  Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls.  Place on ungreased cookie sheet.  Flatten in crisscoss pattern with fork. (for those that enjoy chocolate and peanut sprinkle with a few semi sweet chocolate chips.)  Bake until light brown, check at 9 minutes.   Remove from oven and cool 2 minutes and then remove from cookie sheet.

Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

*Inspired from a recipe in the Betty Crocker's Cookbook.

The SuperMom101 Show: The next epsiode is here - College Student Cooking with special guests Continuing the Conversation: GMOs

For recipes, please visit us at: The SuperMom101 Show

With Special Guests:

Kristi Marsh www.choosewiser.com 
Martin Dagoberto www.marighttoknow.org

New Report: Decoding Pet Food Labels: Avoiding Harmful Ingredients for Dogs and Cats

Decoding Pet Food Labels: Avoiding Harmful Ingredients for Dogs and Cats is a new report that according to the author, "The Cornucopia Institute, a non-profit food/farm policy research group, the report accuses some brands of using cheap ingredients, carcinogenic additives, and preservatives that are bad for long-term pet health, as well as attempting to intentionally deceive consumers with pet food labels."

The Cornucopia Institute Report: Decoding Pet Food Labels

Angry Face New England* Apple Pie

Recipe for Angry Face
New England Apple Pie

9-INCH PIE PLATE and DOUGH (frozen)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon all spice
6 cups thinly sliced pared tart apples*
    (about 6 tart baking apples: http://www.newenglandapples.org)
2 tablespoons margarine (since I don't use butter I prefer the organic products)

Heat oven to 425°.  Prepare pastry or use frozen.  Mix sugar, flour, nutmeg, cinnamon and all spice. Stir in apples and coat with mixture.  Turn into pastry-lined pie plate.  Dot with margarine.  Cover with top crust that has slits cut in it; seal and flute.  Cover edge with 3-inch strip of aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning; remove foil to prevent excessive browning during last 15 minutes of baking.  Bake until crust is brown and juice begins to bubble through slits in crust, 40 to 50 minutes. 6 servings per 9-inch pie  (This pie pictured came out with angry eyes.)

*Here's a great resource on New England Apples that includes the varieties that are sweet and tart:
http://www.newenglandapples.org

Best health always,
Supermom-in-training

American Medical Association calls for ban on direct-to-consumer ads

Dear Viewers,

Am I really old enough to remember the days when prescription drugs weren't allowed to be advertised on television.  That was around the same time that watching TV was free. When cable was introduced -  sure -  we'd have to pay to watch TV but there won't be any commercials. What did we get instead - erectile dysfunction commercials.

Thank you AMA for doing what's best for America's health and her wallets. Looking forward to prescription drug free TV!

Best health always,
Supermom-in-training

Excerpt from SFGate article: 

The American Medical Association on Tuesday called for a ban on direct-to-consumer ads for prescription drugs and implantable medical devices, saying they contribute to rising costs and patients’ demands for inappropriate treatment.

Delegates at the influential group’s policymaking meeting in Atlanta voted to adopt that as official policy as part of an AMA effort to make prescription drugs more affordable. It means AMA will lobby for a ban.

“Today’s vote in support of an advertising ban reflects concerns among physicians about the negative impact of commercially driven promotions and the role that marketing costs play in fueling escalating drug prices,” said Dr. Patrice Harris, an AMA board member.

(Link to complete article:  SFGate)

Cheap, Fast and Easy: Butternut Squash Soup with Savory Sage - Dairy Free

Butternut Squash Soup
with Savory Sage
Dairy Free

Still can't get most of my family to try this delicious soup, but they do stop and ask what's simmering in the pot every time I make it - smells incredible on a cold New England night and was served at a recent dinner party.    Maybe I'll take the same tact that the professional food marketers use to get consumers to make an impulse buy  . . . (the guests returned empty bowls so that's usually a good sign).

Butternut Squash Soup with Savory Sage 
(serves 4 hearty bowls)
Squash will take about an hour to roast
Soup about 15 minutes

Preheat oven to 400°
Although this a simple recipe to prepare - want to provide detailed instructions for those new to cooking

2 butternut squash split in half (about the same sizes so they roast evenly)
2 tablespoons of virgin cold pressed olive oil
1 large onion (diced)
3 fresh sage stems  (about 6 leaves on each stem)
1 quart (32 oz) low sodium organic chicken broth
Save seeds to roast and garnish*
Immersion blender for easier blending - about $30

Split squash in half and remove seeds.   Place seed mixture to the side for later cleaning.
Place squash on baking pan with sides.
Drizzle with about a tablespoon of olive oil.
Place 4 squash pieces on high oven shelf (not the top) and roast at 400° until a fork enters the squash easily and cleanly in the meatiest part (about an hour).  Since heat rises placing the squash closer to the top will ensure that the squash roasts evenly and more quickly than if placed on the bottom racks - which may burn the bottom of the squash before they finish roasting
Let squash cool for a few minutes while you begin to prepare the soup
Take a large pot and heat one tablespoon of olive oil
Add the diced onions and sauté until the onions are translucent (clear) - about three minutes
Add 2 sage stems (pull sage from stem) and add to onions - sauté for another few minutes over medium heat.
Scoop the flesh of the roasted squash in to the large pot using a large spoon.  (Hold the squash with a towel because that squash is still going to be hot.)
With the stove burner on low - slowly add about a half cup at a time of the low sodium, organic chicken broth and begin to mix with the immersion blender.  Keep adding a half a cup at a time until the soup becomes the consistency that you want.

Croutons to garnish with *roasted squash seeds and sage

Tom Brady . . . Coca-Cola, Frosted Flakes - “poison for kids”

Posted by Mike Florio with Profootballtalk.nbcsports.com

Dear Tom Brady,

Thank you for speaking your truth! Just yesterday our oldest son (played college football) said to his younger bother (plays high school varsity) - Brady doesn't drink sports drinks like gatorade. Watch him on the sidelines - that bottle has no label on it!

Thankfully our elementary school gym school calls "sports" drinks - candy in a bottle and the unsweetened sports drinks - chemicals in a bottle.

Wishing you and your family today and always . . .

Best health always,
Supermom-in-training

GMO & Healthy Food Choices

The "C" Word Movie

Wishing The "C" Word Movie* a huge success! 

After breast cancer at 38, Changed What's on my Plate. Before then, had no idea about America's highly processed, Genetically Modified (GMO), insecticide, pesticide, herbicide laced, growth hormone injected, arsenic fed, artificially flavored, chemically dyed, sugar laden, high fructose corn syrup, fake food supply and I thought I was eating healthy. 

And it's not just food - we are inundated with chemicals in our "scented" cleaning supplies to cosmetics, soaps and deodorants, and plastic water bottles - you name it. 

p.s. *We used the "C" word code around our house because our children were little (8, 6 and 18 months at the time - thankfully that was over 14 years ago now.) 

Best health always, Supermom-in-training

Got Milk . . . to Polish Your Silver?

Before

After

Don't have sour milk on hand, you can easily make some by adding vinegar. Simply soak the silver in the milk/vinegar for an hour or two to loosen the tarnish, wash in warm, soapy water, and buff with a soft cloth.

Source: Reader's Digest 2,317 Ways to Save Money - Extraordinary Uses for ordinary things - is full of "ingenious money saving secrets!

What's on Your Dinner Plate Tonight? Food Ingredients Banned in Other Parts of the World

Dear Viewers,

This list of "Food Ingredients Banned in Other Parts of the World" provided by Mammavation will have you thinking twice as you prepare dinner tonight.  (That's assuming you haven't already read the labels before you placed the ingredients in your shopping cart.)    Plus, 64 countries label GMO* ingredients in their food/beverages.

Last night's menu: "Organic" store bought pizza dough - left to rise on counter.  Made two: one with cheese and a cheeseless date pizza with chicken and ginger teriyaki sauce - a similar recipe was featured on The SuperMom101 Show and a link to the recipe is below in the caption.   A few sliced New England apples and good to go.

Cheeseless Ginger Teriyaki with Date and Chicken Pizza

*According to GMOFREEUSA.org -  GMO Corn is manufactured in to:

40% Ethanol
37% Animal Feed
12% Industrial Use
11% Kellogg's, Gerber, et al

"Feeding the world with fuel, animal feed, packaging and a bit of junk food." - GMOFREEUSA.org

Best health always,

Supermom-in-training

Please Think Before You Pink

Breast Cancer Action Toolkit

UGH!  (Update to original post):

Was in the bank making a deposit for a friend at a large national chain and was offered a pink ribbon. Oh, and if I opened a credit card they'd make a donation to https://www.bankofamerica.com/credit-cards/products/susan-komen-credit-card.go

I politely told him that I'd had breast cancer and don't support organizations that are making a profit off cancer and searching for a "cure."   I prefer to focus on prevention.   When I got to our car and told our son who was waiting in the car . . .  he went off too.     Made me smile that (hopefully)  #pinkwashing days are numbered at least they have been at our house for over 14 years now.

Best health always,
Supermom-in-training

_________________________________________________________________________

Dear Breast Cancer Action,

Thank you!   When I was first diagnosed and treated for breast cancer I had no idea about America's fake food supply, diet of diseases,  and the cancer industry.* (Actually thought I was eating healthy.) Thankfully that was over 14 years ago and at that time also discovered your "Think Before You Pink" campaign.

Just ask our children (early twenties and late teens) what I think about the pink gloves and cleats while we're watching an October NFL game - and this year will be worse - apparently the NFL will "end their tax exempt status" and "the change will mean the NFL's head office, which earned revenues of about $327 million in 2013, will have to pay taxes on its income," according to a Washington Post article.  The NFL home office has been tax exempt?

Of course the players hearts are in the right places and many of the NFL owners too but I've been saying for years now, "all this pink washing always makes me a tad nauseous" and you have provided a remedy.

Thanks again for all your work.

 p.s. I have the utmost respect for the medical industry. *I've been treated by, worked with, and supported by some of the best medical doctors, RNs, oncologists, cardiologists, radiologists etc. at what are considered World Class hospitals and they support my change in diet and journey in to prevention 100%.

Best health always,
Supermom-in-training

Our Right to Know - Label GMO Foods

Proud to be a citizen of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and attend the hearing on GMO labeling - the auditorium was packed with supporters:  from farmers to store owners, scientists and medical doctors to Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream,  Dean's Beans, and the Northeast Organic Farming Association.  So proud that over 75% of our state legislators support GMO labeling and many even testified,  the expert witnesses were astounding and there was a wealth of common sense: 64 countries label GMOs.

Also grateful that our Massachusetts Attorney General filed on behalf of Vermont's right as a state to label GMO - imagine the Federal Government is trying to take away a State's individual rights? Hmmm . . . Any idea when the D.A.R.K. Act hearing in Washington might be? Think I'll be taking a road trip with a few friends. 

To GMO industry: I'd rather the right to choose be confused/misguided* than uninformed  #justlabelit 

p.s. Remember the last time a large organization tried to mess with New England farmers and our citizens. 

Best health always, 
Supermom-in-training

*insert word of the week: fear-mongering/a pseudoscientist/warning labeler/not feeding the world . . . 

Share a Coke with Obesity

Cool idea.

Soda Politics: Taking on Big Soda (and Winning) by Marion Nestle

These cans always make me crazy -
nothing heart healthy here!

Dear Marion,

Fantastic! Am going to buy a copy: Soda Blurbs and discuss on an upcoming episode of our cable show.

A few years ago my husband and I went to a sporting event - cliff diving off a museum in to Boston harbor - very cool. The event was sponsored by Red Bull who every hour would announce that a portion of their day's proceeds would go to a (insert name) diabetic organization/foundation. Our jaws dropped! We couldn't believe what we were hearing. Hey, we know it gives you diabetes so we're gonna make a donation for you so they'll be there to help you when you need it.

p.s. Hope your book sales blow the lid off the industry (poor pun intended.)

Best health always,
Supermom-in-training

Here's the link: Soda Politics: Taking on Big Soda (and winning)

Growth Hormones in Milk: Myth/Fact

Growth hormones in milk: myth/fact

My response to post:

Dear Ms. Smith,

Your article is exactly why I gave up all dairy after breast cancer at age 38 - tumor was hormone receptive*.  Thankfully that was over 14 years ago and had the complete support of my oncologist.   *Artificial or naturally occurring.

See, I had no idea about America's highly processed, growth hormone injected, "naturally occurring", arsenic feed, steroid injected, antibiotic administered, GMO fed, artificially flavored, chemically engineered, GMO crops, artificially dyed and colored,  pesticide laced, manufactured herbicide seeds, high fructose corn syrup, sugar laden, artificially sweetened, factory farmed fake-food until I had cancer and the crazy thing - I thought I was eating healthy.

Why is it America (and her children) have never been fatter or sicker and we're told everything is "scientifically" fine with our food supply?  Respectfully, today, an "organic" apple a day helps keep my doctor away and I don't need a PhD in chemistry or a scientific study in a peer reviewed journal to make that decision.

Best health always,

Supermom-in-training

Growth Hormones in Milk: Myth/Fact

America (and her children) have never been fatter or sicker - guess who it's time to call . . .

What's wrong with this meal?

Any one else notice the big cancer wings on today's hospitals* and the organizations walking the earth for a cure? The only companies not making money off America's poor health are the health insurance companies. They really are our last hope to get this highly-processed, chemically engineered, artificially colored and flavored, arsenic fed, steroid and hormone injected, pesticide laced, fake food off our plates and out of our glasses. 

Seriously, who has the money to reach out to our state and local governments? Washington doesn't seem to care . . . So, I'm begging the health insurance companies to please quietly and deliberately - just like smoking bans - to get the GMO food labeled - just like the rest of the world.  Then quietly and deliberately put financial pressure on government agencies, congress, local and state governments to clean up America's food supply and get rid of the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) ingredients that are wrecking havoc on our health and the health of our children. Come on - you guys did it with smoking and now you can do it with our food supply - it won't be easy but in ten years we will look back and be so darn thankful to you to have our health back and you will have a lot more money in your pockets.

Seriously, the health insurance companies are our last hope because they are the only ones with a financial incentive to keep us healthy and they have very deep pockets! smile emoticon

Best health always,
Supermom-in-training

p.s. Am truly thankful for the medical community - but even your cardiologist will tell you to change your diet when you have a heart attack.

‪#‎dumpthejunk‬

Organic vs. Conventionally Farmed: Let the kids be the taste test

www.oldoakfarms.com

With all the propaganda/infomericals about America's ‪#‎GMO‬ fake food supply - it's time to thank  ‪#‎organic‬ potato farmers at Old Oak Farms.

Fast, easy and then just let it grill: Washed and wrapped potatoes in tin foil with a little olive oil and put them first on the grill - off the heat to the side. Grilled for maybe an hour and a half but it's not directly over the fire and not always the only items on the grill. No need to move or flip - just be certain they're not directly over the coals. (Still grill using old fashioned 100% charcoal and no lighter fluid necessary with the chimney. Coals are ready in less than 10 minutes - the time it takes to rinse and wrap the potatoes.)

My niece said it was the best potato she ever had and think she actually enjoyed four.

Best health always,

Supermom-in-training

Best health always,
Supermom-in-training

The Organic Effect - Wow! And only after two weeks

Wow!  What a difference and only after two weeks.  Wonder when America will do the same test?

Best health always,

Supermom-in-training

5 Ingredients That Should Have Never Been Approved By The FDA – Are You Eating Them?

5 Ingredients That Should Have Never Been Approved By The FDA – Are You Eating Them?

Food Babe

My husband always says, if it stains your skin and clothes like that - imagine what it's doing to your insides?

Best health always,

Supermom-in-training

Here's our new (old) way to hang out laundry

Here's our new (old) way to hang out laundry

Finding Fay: A Free Family Festival

Finding Fay: A Free Family Festival

FINDING FAY: A Free Family Festival 
Sept. 10 – 15 (Various Boston area venues)

Inspired by the Creative Spirit of Artist Fay Chandler

More than 60 Greater Boston arts, cultural and advocacy organizations will gather to present a free family festival inspired by the creative spirit of artist and philanthropist Fay Chandler.

“After my mother’s death last winter, our family decided we wanted to honor her life, her achievements and her spirit in a way that all of Boston might enjoy. Mom loved her extended community -- one organization at a time. 'Finding Fay' is about discovering what happens when they all get together with one another and the neighbors for an afternoon. Please join us for the celebration!"

– Alfred D. “Appy” Chandler

American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR): Avocado Zucchini Summer Soup

Recipe sounds delicious!  Just not sure the family will partake.  Maybe I won't share the ingredients while I experiment?

Photo by Heather Victoria Photography

American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) - TK: Avocado Zucchini Summer Soup

Best health always,
Supermom-in-training

Smashed Lemonade (with vodka or can be served virgin of course)

Smashed Lemonade (After)

Hello friends . . .

After a brief hiatus enjoying the spring and summer with family and friends, I'm back online.  This recipe has been requested more than a few times this summer (also have one for Smashed Blueberries that I'll post under a separate post)

Smashed Lemonade 

(delicious served virgin as well)

By the glass*   

 (Before) 

Recipe when using 16 oz (or two cup) glass

Two (2) jiggers quality vodka (no headache if it's "top shelf") and no need for the "fake" flavored stuff here because that's what we're going to do and (hopefully) it will be awesome.  (Storing the vodka in the freezer will also ensure a refreshing cold beverage.)  I prefer the one that rhymes with "settle".

Two (2) cups quality lemonade (be sure to read the label because the quality will make a difference here as well.  That is: no high fructose corn syrup "fake" lemonade.)  Hope to post a homemade recipe soon.

1 pint of blue berries (washed and rinsed) - to smash 

1 lemon (washed and rinsed and cut in to 1/8 pieces to mash

1 bottle of chilled sparkling Italian Water - to splash

1 lemon squeezer - for the smashing and mashing

Take a glass or cup that can hold approx. 16 ounces or 2 cups.  Fill 2/3 full with ice.  Pour one or two jiggers of vodka over the ice.  Smash two scoops of blueberries and add to glass.   Mash two lemon wedges and let the juice spill in to the glass.  Fill glass with lemonade and leave room at the top to splash with sparkling water.  (If making virgin just skip the vodka and leave more room for the splash.)  Finish off with ice to fill glass.  (This last step makes it less messy when doing all the mashing, squeezing and splashing.)  When refilling leave the already mashed blueberries in the bottom of the glass and repeat above.

Enjoy (responsibly of course) with family and friends!

Sounds like a lot of work but once you have the hang of it's actually pretty easy.  Love to hear your results.

Best health always,
Supermom-in-training

* Multiply by four if serving a party pitcher.  I prefer a glass pitcher that has been placed in the fridge so the pitcher is cold when you add the vodka and lemonade.   Then smash, squeeze and splash right before you serve.

How Diet Soda Makes you Fat (and other Food and Diet Industry Secrets) - by Dr. Mark Hyman

How Diet Soda Makes You Fat (and Other Food and Diet Industry Secrets) - Terrific Article by Dr. Mark Hyman


Dear Dr. Hyman,

Thank you for providing the truth!  Will be sharing this important information in as many places as possible.   Had a friend that after she'd kicked the diet drink habit, realized how much she'd crave "junk" foods when she drank them.  Said she'd take a sip of the diet drink and "poof" before she realized it - she'd be chomping on a plate of fried french fries.  Scared her to quit cold turkey and never look back - she lost weight of course too.

Best health always,
Supermom-in-training

Hysterical perspective on the "typical" super market grocery store experience

Brilliant!

Under the guise of "freedom" Texas Agriculture Commissioner demonstrates his support for Big Food Factory Farming and not the citizen's of Texas

Great post in The Lunch Tray about the new Texas Agricultural Commissioner.

SuperMom101 response to The Lunch Tray post:

Thank you Bettina for keeping us truthfully informed.

Like to see him come to New England and try and pull this over on our citizens and farmers. Remember the last time a large government institution tried to strong arm our farmer’s and citizen’s?

Thanks for reminding me to continue to share your posts and sound the alarm bell: America (and her children) have never been fatter or sicker and strangely we’re told everything is fine with America’s food supply . . .

Best health always,
SuperMom-in-training

p.s. This so reminds me of one of my grandfather’s favorite quotes: he who signs your paycheck is where your allegiance lies. In Mr.Miller’s case – it ain’t with the citizen’s of Texas - his allegiance is with the cupcake manufacturers and fake-food factory-farming - loud and clear!

Here's another reason why I choose organic over factory farmed

Wow! Will be sharing this story the next time I'm asked why I choose organic over factory farmed. 

Thank you for not giving up on your sweet potato and for sharing what you discovered.

Best health always to you and your grandma,
SuperMom-in-training

China bans all US poultry imports after west coast bird flu outbreak

Wow! Wonder how many countries have sued U.S. poultry farmers because our sick, overbreed, disease ridden, inferior, Industrial "farmed" food product called a chicken contaminated their flocks?

Best health always,
SuperMom-in-training

China bans all US poultry imports after west coast bird flu outbreak

Former PepsiCo Chief Lobbyist now heads U.S. Senate Ag Committee as Chief of Staff

UGH! Seriously? According to Healthy Schools Campaign,  the former chief lobbyist for PepsiCo is the new chief of staff for the U.S. Senate Ag committee -- the committee that essentially writes the rules for national school food programs.

Stay tuned for the upcoming messages of "everything in moderation" and "children just need more exercise" and "everything is fine with America's food supply" and blah . . .blah . . . blah . . .

Meanwhile, America (and her children) have never been fatter, sicker or malnourished and we can't seem to figure out why.

p.s. Check out the movie: Fed Up if you are looking for one truth.

Best health always,
Supermom-in-training

Always looking for cooking tips and tricks!

Post by REALfarmacy.com.

Always looking for cooking tips and tricks.  Although I don't use water bottles to separate eggs but just use the eggs shells themselves. It's simple - crack the egg and transfer the yellow yoke in to the empty shell. As you transfer the yellow yoke the clear egg whites fall to the bowl below and the yellow yoke ends up transferred in to the other shell.

Best health always,
SuperMom-in-training