Supermom101 takes a vacation...

Kindly note: I'm checking out for a week (mentally and physically) while I "vacation" with the kids for a week at an AMC (Appalachian Mountain Club) "resort" located on Lake Winnepesake in New Hampshire (http://www.3mile.org/). Why would a self proclaimed "camp Hyatt" alumnae choose to be without running water, electricity or flushing toilets for seven days? Find out next Saturday...

To life, laughter and love...

p.s. Wish us sunshine.

Beware of industry web sites and bloggers trying to disguise themselves as concerned individuals!

"Common sense is not so common."
-Voltaire

We've all seen the annoying infomericals that pop up when we google. How to loss 20 lbs and still eat everything you want. However, a much more tainted and covert propaganda that is especially pervasive in the blogging community is the establishment of industry funded websites and bloggers that try and pass themselves off as concerned individuals. These "so called individuals" post comments and direct the reader to a specific website that contains "expert" research and opinions that not surprisingly sell the wonders of their products. Two recent blog imposter's directed readers to: http://www.milkismilk.com/ and http://www.sweetsurprise.com/

The good news is if industry is doing this...they are on the defensive. Most consumers I know are feed up with the misinformation, misguidance, food pyramid nonsense that we and our families are inundated with on a daily basis while we and our children get sicker and sicker. Keep up the enlightenment all you bloggers and posters! It's easy to see through the industry veil and find the imposter's.

For the record, I have no problem with an individual "monetizing" their blog to sell products. I am a capitalist at heart (majored in economics in college and am a HUGE fan of Adam Smith and The Wealth of Nations) but this is much more subtle and pervasive. These websites/blogs are industry people actively participating in a public relations campaign to "get their message out there." Blogging is our opportunity to get our message out there! Several friends and family know first hand of the koolaid drinking that goes on within industry and their experts. So, just keep your senses up when surfing the web and use common sense when viewing a comment, website or blog:

-Who are these experts? Are they paid by the sponsor of the web page for their "expert" opinion? (Doesn't hurt to google the name and check out who their peers are, where they publish and who funds their research, i.e. industry, academic - both?) Although they may hold many degrees don't forget to ask yourself who signs their pay check?
-Is this truly an individual or a corporation or industry association?
-What products are they selling and why?
-Do "they" really have my health in their best interest or are they just selling me their products?

Happy surfing!

p.s. YIKES! Just looked up dairy and breast cancer on webmd and an advertisement for cow's milk came up complete with a celebrity wearing the ridiculous moustache! The above button was handed out at our May elementary school picnic that focuses on health and fitness. I (of course) added the red line...

Official Food, Inc. Movie Site - Hungry For Change?

Official Food, Inc. Movie Site - Hungry For Change?

SIGN THE PETITION! Have you ever wondered why your school lunch program offers three types of cow's milk (including chocolate) but no soy or water? That's because (and I quote) "The Federal Government sees no nutritional value in water" and will not reimburse the school lunch programs if water is a choice. YIKES! Wonder what they think about fruits and vegetables...

We have always encouraged our children to be active in organized sports and I can't see myself saying, "hey kid's grab that water bottle full of cow's milk before you head on to that field."

As former President Ronald Regan said, the nine scariest words he ever heard: "I'm here from the government and here to help."

Change your diet and change your life!

Super Delicious meals in under 20 minutes! Cheeseless pizza with dates and sauteed onions

Dinner and Dining in less than 20 minutes!

Super Delightful Date Pizza with sautéed onions and garlic

I made this meal at 8:00PM after a cold and rainy Babe Ruth Baseball Game. It's so easy. We use the frozen, organic (white) pizza dough from Whole Foods and throw it on the counter in the morning when I'm heading out the door.

Ingredients:
One - Frozen pizza dough (left on counter to thaw during day)
One - large onion, diced (or two small)
Five - Cloves of garlic (sliced)
10-15 pitted Madjool Dates (Trader Joes sells them) - number depends on whether you want the entire pizza covered - which I do!
1/8 cup of Olive Oil
Optional: (Trader Joe's Fully Cooked Grilled Teriyaki Chicken)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees while you prepare the ingredients and prep the dough.

Gently sauté chopped onion in 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Once onions are almost translucent add sliced garlic cloves and continue sautéing for another three to four minutes. You can also add Trader Joe's Teriyaki Chicken at this point.

Using a metal baking pan with sides (so the olive oil doesn't drip in to the oven), place 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the bottom of the pan. Take thawed pizza dough and from the center work in to a square (or circle) by gently kneading it out with your hands while it dangles in the air until the pizza is less than a 1/2" think. Toss in olive oil to coat both sides.

Place sautéed ingredients on top of dough, open dates, coat with remaining olive oil. and place on top of other ingredients.

Bake on top rack at 450 degrees for 10-15 minutes depending on how crunchy you enjoy the crust.

Let me know how it tastes.

Next post will be beef stew served with warm bread from the oven. Perfect for a 48 degree overcast and rainy day in Boston.

Super Meals under $20 and 20 minutes - Beef Stew

Beef Stew for a Hungry Family of Five
(This one is cooking while you are at the office or standing on a rain soaked baseball field waiting for the first pitch.)

I usually prepare this meal in the morning (even before breakfast), place in the oven, set the automatic start and come home to a piping, hot meal. Now I know some of you are thinking the house could explode. REALLY? Well, don't you think it's better we are not home when the house takes off like the Wizard of Oz? We haven't had a problem...yet.

A great find at Marshall's was the Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 7-1/4-Quart Round French Oven (pictured above). These are not cheap, but you know how Supermom101 is all about value and would never pay full price...EVER! I paid $75. I use this French oven at least twice a week in the winter. This meal costs less than eating out and is much better for you, of course. Plus, the cast iron will last forever. Now, that's GREEN!

Prep time is 15 minutes
2 lbs of organic beef stew meat ($10) - cut into bit size pieces
1/4 cup of unbleached flour
1 large onion - diced
6 clean (skins still on) Russet baking potatoes (maybe $3.00) - cut to bit size pieces
4 carrots (washed but not peeled) - sliced to bit sized pieces
3 bay leaves
1 container of organic chicken or vegetable broth ($2.19)
1/8 cup of olive oil
pinch of salt and pepper

2 loaves of whole foods frozen ready to be baked french baguettes ($3.29)
Olive oil for dipping bread

Heat olive oil in Cast-Iron skillet. You never want to heat olive oil at high temperatures because it will smoke and burn. Since our meat is packaged in a plastic bag I just add the flour and shake until the meat is coated. Place meat in bottom of pan and brown all sides. As the meat is browning cut up the potatoes, onion and carrots.

Once the meat is brown on all sides (about ten minutes) add the broth to cover. Add the potatoes, onions and carrots. Add just enough liquid to cover the poatoes, carrots and onions. Break the bay leaves in half and place in the liquid. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Put the lid on. Program the oven to 325 degrees for three hours. I usually set ours to turn on at 2:00PM and turn off at 5:00PM.

Just before you are ready to eat and you are setting the table, bake bread as directed on the package and serve with olive oil for dipping. ENJOY!

The Sullivan Sisters are auditioning for American Idol in Boston this weekend!

We are so proud of you Meghan and Bridget!

My goddaughter Meghan Sullivan, age 24, placed third in the Country Idol competition hosted by the local Country Radio Station http://www.wklb.com/. Check her out on http://youtube.com/. She and her sister Bridget, age 19, are heading to Hollywood... well, Foxborough this weekend to audition for American Idol. Wish them luck...

I am a great believer in luck and I find the harder I work the more I have of it. - Thomas Jefferson

Vegetable/Herb Garden has been Planted

As of 12:00 today the plants are in. Most plants were organized and arranged to complement growth and nutrients when planted together i.e. basil with tomatoes and the native American planting: corn, beans and squash.

Front Far Left:
Lavender "Hidcote" Ht:12"
From gilbertiesherbs.com
"Lavender branches were burned on St. John's Eve at mid-summer to drive away evil spirits. This slow growing variety is the most popular of the English lavender with its dark purple blooms. All lavenders require well-drained sweet soil with a pH above 7.8 so add lime. The essential oil is an insect repellent."
Sage Painted Ht: 24"
From gilbertiesherbs.com
"Once used to flavor wine by the Greeks and Romans, painted sage is grown for its beauty today. Heart shaped leaves rise to rose, purple pink or green bracts adding stunning effect to herb garden. Requires full sun and good drainage; do not over winter."
Aloe Vera Tender perennial Herb Ht: 1'-3'
"Aloe is an African native with a long medicinal history. Yellow/orange flowers are borne on a spike above the foliage. New plants are produced at the base. Currently valued for the juice of its leaves which soothe and heal sunburn, insect bites and minor skin irritations.



Center 3 rows:

Early girl Tomato Ht: 24-36" Matures early 52-54 days

Big Boy Ht: 24-36" Matures in 78 days x 2 plants

Basil Sweet Bush (annual herb) Ht: 24" x 8 plants
according to Gilbertiesherbs.com
"Sweet bush basil was considered a royal herb by the Greeks and venerated as sacred by the Hindus and basil is still one of the most popular herbs today. All basils require full sun, consistent moisture and warm temperatures to thrive. Do not plant outside until nighttime temperatures do not go below 50 degrees F. This is the traditional sweet basil."

Sweet Pepper Bell - planted in between tomato and basil stakes
Matures in 60-70 days

Far Back rows includes 6 mounds of the native American planting: Three sisters

Each mound contains three corn, one blue lake pole bean in center and one butternut squash.
Sweet Corn - Bicolor Maturity 70-85 days
Plant in full sun 4-6" apart

Blue Lake Pole Beans (Plant three plants to a pole) we are using the corn stalks as the poles
Tender, plump, top-quality beans on tall growing plants

Early Butternut squash hybrid (tray of six) - matures in 70 says (fruit size 10-12")

We are not planting the perennial/annual flowers/shrubs until the main water line to the house is finished. In the meantime, I couldn't help put purchase two beautiful rhododendrums of the most unusual color and they will only get 3' high called Rhodo Percy Wiseman #2
Dense compact, rounded evergreen shrub with dark green foliage, multicolored flowers of peach, pink & cream age to white with a yellow throat. Late mid season bloom. Unusual color. Ht 3'

Trash Test - failed miserably

Well done is better than well said. -Benjamin Franklin

Today I’ve decided to keep track of every thing I throw away at home, the office, at the baseball field…anywhere.

Cut up watermelon for son’s school picnic and almost threw out the rinds. Will place in the garden with the loose, seeped tea leaves this evening.

One piece of white office paper – placed in shredder

Youngest school picnic. Threw out paper plates and over 23 plastic sports and water container also three plastic sheets to cover the picnic tables...I gave up counting items

Cancer Survivor Says He'll Hide Chemo-Ditching 13-Year-Old

Cancer Survivor Says He'd Hide Chemo-Ditching 13-Year-Old - Children's Health - FOXNews.com

Check out http://www.billybest.net/

WOW! This is a tough one. As parents I'm certain most of us would go to extreme measures to do what we believe is in the best interest of our child, we would weigh the pros and cons of our options and do whatever it takes to save our child's life without ever intending to harm them in the process. It is not the natural order of things to lose a child. At the age of 37, I was diagnosed and treated for Stage I breast cancer and faced the question of whether I should receive chemotherapy after six weeks of radiation. I likened it to taking a machine gun to kill an ant. I wanted to know what possible link could exist that caused my cancer and what would prevent a recurrence. I didn't want to make my body any sicker and believed that there were other options.

Thankfully my doctor's agreed and encouraged me to weigh the various options (yes, there is more than one option) by obtaining a second and third opinion. At the same time, I came across a book called Your Life in Your Hands by Jane Plant. The basic premise of the book is that 1 in 100,000 women in China will experience breast cancer during their lifetime and the number is 1 in 8 in the U.S. What's the difference...dairy in the diet. For over eight years I have not consumed dairy, and I'll discuss the details under a separate blog. In the meantime, the link to Billy Best's web page is interesting. He too does not consume dairy.

Hopefully this young boy's health will be restored and the medical community will acknowledge that most types of cancer can be treated and prevented by diet.

For additional information and links to those organizations that are currently studying diet and disease...take a look at the survey questions on the right hand side of the blog as well as the links.

First attempt at Vegetable Garden - Updated May 21st

Well done is better than well said.
-Benjamin Franklin

This morning at 7:00AM we had three yards of screened loam dumped in the yard for top soil. It is so much more economical that buying and transporting the bags from a giant home gardening center plus we're supporting a local business. The cost was $124 delivered! No wasted plastic bags (although I would have cut them open to use as a weed screen). This weekend we'll plant. Need to finalize the garden plot so I don't over buy and know exactly were everything will be placed.

My husband said it best, "are we investing $400 in manure and plants to gain about $30 worth of tomatoes?" Probably! Thankfully I have many Italian friends who have already provided soil recommendations as well as time tested plant varieties and the "pipes" to stake the tomatoes. I've planted and tended perennial gardens for years but this is different. If a plant doesn't come back the next year no one else will even notice. You plant a vegetable garden and nothing grows...



Intend to plant in 10 x 20 space in full sun in Boston climate:

Two staggered rows of the "native American" three sister plantings i.e. corn stalk with squash and climbing beans. Seven hills in total.

Row of tomatoes: http://ezinearticles.com/?Which-of-the-Hundreds-of-Tomato-Varieties-Should-I-Plant?&id=191656

Four zucchini plants on edges to train over the border.

Left and right front corners: herbs, including: basil, lavender, rosemary, oregano

This weekend is dedicated to turning in manure and other organic matter to prepare the soil.

Let me know those plant varieties that worked best for you. Check back for weekly updates including unaltered or airbrushed photos of the garden as it grows.