September 2010
38 posts
Egg Recall: Disgusting Conditions Confirm Dangers...
Iowa-based Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms—the two producers responsible for the recall of 500,000 eggs potentially contaminated with salmonella—should be put out of business. FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, MD, last week said these companies were “not operating with the standards of practice that we consider responsible,” according to the New York Times. Now we know some of the...
Fried Beer, Fried Margaritas, and Fried Salads in...
All the fast food has rotted our brains. Ladies and gentlemen that is what we now consider food! And it’s a contestant for the 2010 Big Tex Choice Award at this year’s State Fair of Texas. They say it’s a fried salad - sort of. Read more… http://dlvr.it/4WQr6
Edamame, The Energy-Efficient Snack
If you’ve ever sucked the beans out of an edamame pod - after being boiled in a sea salt bath - and enjoyed the nutty, mild flavor, you’ll be pleased to know, the snack decision was well made. Many snack-like foods provide a calorie-laden burst in energy that is soon followed by a drop in insulin, and that crash we all despise. If your energy levels are in serious need of elevation,...
August 2010
81 posts
PB&J Banana Burritos
School is almost in session, so it’s time to “think outside the loaf,” according to registered dietitian Elizabeth Somer. “Kids do get tired of the same old sandwiches,” says the visiting professor of exercise science at Willamette University in Salem, OR. She’s also the author of numerous books, including Age-Proof Your Body: Your Complete Guide to Looking and Feeling Younger. A tortilla wrap is...
One Day, One Eco Wedding
If you’re one of the sundry September weddings whose save the date is engulfing fridge doors everywhere, this invitation sadly just misses you. But if friends and family everywhere can all be expecting you and your fiancé’s smiling faces via snail mail (or paperless perhaps…) for say, come next September, this is THE ultimate event to kick off your engagement. It’s Eco...
Meatless Mondays: 9 New York Restaurants to Get...
If you’re like us, a meal’s not a meal without a piece of organic, grass-fed meat. Hey, it’s how we were raised. But, in an effort to be more animal and planet friendly, we’re weaning ourselves off of it … slowly. Read more… http://dlvr.it/4S8jj
Product Tracing Needed to Protect Us from...
Cover enough salmonella or E. coli outbreaks, and you become intimately familiar with the “T” word: traceback. The term refers to the process federal inspectors use to determine exactly where contamination occurred in the food supply chain. Recent recalls highlight the critical need for an effective product tracing system, according to the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a Chicago-based...
New Ground Beef Recall; More Eggs Join List
About 8,500 pounds of ground beef have been recalled by Wyalusing, PA-based Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. This is an E. coli-related Class I recall, which designates “a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.” This isn’t Cargill’s first time at the recall rodeo. As I reported in November,...
Make It! Green Your Dog DIY Essential Oil Mist
Stinky dog? No need to fill up the tub for a battle of the baths, just follow this tip from Get Lick’d Eco-Friendly Dog to keep your dog smelling great in between bath time. Read more… http://dlvr.it/4KZXt
10 Reasons to Buy Organic Watermelon
Organic watermelon is a nutritional best bet, with more than 1,200 varieties available for savvy snacking. Farmers in 44 states grow these juicy members of the _Cucurbitaceae_ plant family, with Georgia, Florida, Texas, California and Arizona leading the pack. Here are 10 reasons to head to the summer produce aisle. http://dlvr.it/4KZXr
Evil Chicken, Poultry is the Top Culprit for Food...
Its time to lock up all the chickens. We need to punish all these feather-clad criminals – enough is enough! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says poultry is the number one culprit for food poisoning and food-borne illness. Read more… http://dlvr.it/4Hnxs
5 Best Air Fresheners that are Natural
If you suffer from allergy, asthma, or other sensitivities, then you already know that commercial air fresheners – which are loaded with artificial chemicals no matter what natural-sounding scent they boast – can be harmful (and even toxic) to the eyes, skin, throat, and lungs. And they don’t even really get the job done! Instead of eliminating odors, they often mask them by coating your nasal...
Cool Off with Organic Lemon Ice Cubes
Triple-digit temperatures have hit Southern California later than expected. I suppose I should be grateful that the thermometer reads only 103° today, as opposed to the day’s record high of 116° that blistered us in 1985. Staying hydrated is critical when the sun decides to show off. I make sure my ice cube trays are well stocked and drink more fluids to make up for water loss. I also take a cue...
5 Commercial Dog Food Ingredients to Avoid
I don’t know about your dogs, but feeding time is pretty much Lady and Darby’s favorite time of day. Or at the very least, it’s tied with walk time. And when I come home from work. And playtime. Okay, they’re enthusiasts for life, what can I say? But they are definitely big fans of food, and a doggie’s diet is tied to their long-term health, just like with humans. So in order to ensure that my...
Beyond Guacamole: 5 Ways to Use an Awesome Avocado
Forget the apple; an avocado a day will really keep the doctor away. Nutritionally speaking, avocados are rife with monounsaturated fat – the kind of fat that helps lower LDL (bad) and helps increase HDL (good) cholesterol. _Prevention Magazine’s_ Flat Belly Diet names the avocado as one of the five all-star fats you should incorporate into your diet (yes, for a flat stomach!), providing nearly 20...
7 New Facts About Ongoing Egg Recall
We’ve been regularly updating you on the ongoing egg recall that has sickened 1,300 people, with posts on how salmonella contaminates eggs, the recall’s scope and why going organic is your best choice. Here’s the latest news wrap-up: * More Recalls Issued. As expected, more distributors that purchased eggs from Wright County Egg have issued recalls. Fullerton, Calif.-based Luberski Inc. recently...
9 Medicinal Plants
Many herbs (and vegetables, and fruits, and even some decorative plants) that are commonly grown in kitchen gardens have useful medicinal properties. They can cure stomachaches and stress and everything in between, and you’ve probably got them growing already. Read more… http://dlvr.it/4D6Fc
Denny's New Fried Cheese Melt
Its over, forget 2012. We might as well pack it in now. This is food? According to Denny’s it is. Introducing the Fried Cheese Melt, Denny’s new grilled cheese sandwich with four fried mozzarella sticks stuffed inside. Read more… http://dlvr.it/4BpgT
Beating Brain Fog
I like how brainfog.net describes it: “A subjective haze surrounding your consciousness.” Sounds more like _Dazed and Confused_ the 1993 coming-of-age classic than dazed and confused, a common ailment also referred to as cognitive dysfunction. We’ve all experienced it at one time or another: we’re tired, lethargic, sluggish in body and mind, and just seem to be in a fog, almost out of body if you...
Organic Blueberry Mojito
Nothing beats sipping a tall, cold Blueberry Mojito while grilling outdoors. The combination of fresh mint and blueberries is super-refreshing, and the drink can be prepared with or without alcohol. (For a virgin mojito, top off the glass with lemonade or club soda in lieu of rum.) Here’s the best part: All of the ingredients should be available at a well-stocked natural and organic food store....
Eight Reasons GMOs are Bad for You
Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are created when a gene from one species is transferred to another, creating something that would not be found in nature. A large percentage of domestic crops (up to 85% of soybean yields) have DNA that was tweaked in a lab, yet it is nearly impossible to know which food items contain these genetically engineered ingredients. Thankfully new mobile phone...
The Heart of Feng Shui
When I first heard that the stove was one of the most powerful tools used in the ancient practice of Feng Shui, I thought it sounded pretty crazy. My stove? How could that possibly affect my health, wealth and relationships? Turns out after 13 years of study and consulting clients, I have not only recognized its potency – I have been humbled by it. Read more… http://dlvr.it/493Gz
New Natural Soups, Chowders to Debut
Poblano and chipotle peppers, sweet potatoes, roasted garlic, lemongrass and lentils are just a sampling of the flavorful ingredients you’ll find this fall in Pacific Natural Foods’ new line of vegetarian soups and chowders. The bistro-inspired collection features all-natural ingredients, including vegetables, legumes, savory herbs and zesty spices. Six flavors will be available:...
Top Ten Reasons to Banish Soda
Soda is the unofficial drink of America. While in most other countries they enjoy a tiny bottle of the sweet stuff as an afternoon treat, here in the States we consume bucket-size Big Gulps on a daily basis, sell cans of the sticky syrup out of machines at elementary schools and treat free refills at dinner like a God-given right. Soda is liquid candy. Actually, soda is a frothy mix of carbonated...
How Did Salmonella Contaminate So Many Eggs?
Salmonella can infect the eggs we buy in two basic ways: * Hens with infected ovaries or oviduct tissue contaminate eggs before they’re laid. * The bacterium can penetrate the shell when a laid egg is exposed to fecal material. “We used to think that just washing the eggshell, and using Grade A shell eggs, would keep us safe,” says Patrick McDonough, PhD, a professor of microbiology and clinical...
Restaurant Review: Tony's Darts Away
Tony’s Darts Away, in Burbank, California, was first founded in 1978, aspiring to nothing more than a place for locals to come grab a beer and play some darts. This year it came under new ownership and though the layout stayed the same, there are quite a few subtle, earth-friendly differences now. There’s an emphasis on recycling – the menu boards were fashioned out of pieces of wall...
Egg Recall Highlights Benefits of Going Organic
I wish I could tell you that the ongoing egg recall is under control, with all affected egg brands clearly delineated and successfully pulled from market shelves. Unfortunately, Iowa-based Wright County Egg sold its products to a slew of major grocery chains, retailers and distributors, and additional recalls are likely to be announced. To wit: Hillandale Farms of Iowa yesterday issued a new...
8 Reasons to Buy Organic Blueberries
Summer bequeaths us an abundance of fresh, juicy, organic blueberries, which you can easily find at natural and organic food stores, mainstream supermarkets, farmers’ markets and roadside stands. Here are 8 reasons to go blue: * Blueberries represent America at her finest. Only three fruits are native to North America: blueberries, cranberries and Concord grapes. The first colonists adopted the...
Must Have Mobile App: Be GMO in The Know
Do you know what’s in your food? It is estimated that 70% of all grocery items in the United States contain genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. Despite countless warnings from scientists and doctors, these foods are not regulated at all by the government, and therefore it has been next to impossible for the average consumer to know exactly what he or she’s been eating. Read...
1 in 30 Million Yellow Lobster Caught in Rhode...
Go to a Sizzler, you’ll see a restaurant packed with bright red lobsters slathered with butter and lemon juice. But a yellow lobster? Yeah, it’s true. Yellow lobsters are very rare, but last month a fisherman snagged one in Narragansett Bay’s East Passage off the coast of Newport, Rhode Island. Read more… http://dlvr.it/40dMh
Recall Expands to 380 Million Eggs in 17 States
Since May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has noticed a 400% increase in _Salmonella enteritidis_ infections. As I reported earlier this week, the feds have linked the ongoing outbreak to Wright County Egg, an Iowa-based company that has sold potentially contaminated shell eggs to retailers and distributors in eight states: California, Illinois, Missouri, Colorado, Nebraska,...
4 Tips for Safe and Eco-Friendly Food Storage
If it wasn’t for leftovers, I don’t know how my husband and I would survive. Sometimes after a long day of work, the last thing you feel like doing is throwing together a meal. That’s why we’ve invested in a wide array of food storage solutions, so nothing we make goes to waste. Here are a few safe and eco-friendly tips for storing your food: Read more… http://dlvr.it/40N1K
Canker Sore Conundrum? A Spicy Relief
Okay, so maybe sprinkles won’t exactly do the trick, but when it comes to unsightly, painful and just downright annoying canker sores of the mouth, they’re not too far off. Kitchen cabinets just might hold the key - or the spice rack anyhow - to a natural treatment for home remedying these oral interruptions. Read more… http://dlvr.it/3y9R1
Breath-Freshening Mints for Organic Consumers
Burlington, VT-based VerMints has introduced a new line of vegan-friendly mints made exclusively from all-natural and organic ingredients. Six full-bodied flavors are available in pocket-size tins: *
8 Great Beauty Uses for Plants
Those plants you’ve got growing on the balcony or in your backyard have an unlimited number of uses. And we’re not just talking ways to cook them: your skin and hair are just waiting to be pampered by these easy, DIY home beauty recipes. They’ll save you money - not only can you use flowers, herbs and vegetables you’ve already got, but you can store the homemade products in...
Dogs Donate Fur for Oil Spill
Dogs around the world are giving the hair off their backs to help clean up one of the worst oil spills in history. Groomers have gathered the hair trimmings from their doggie salon floors, as individuals collect the fur that their dogs are shedding, all sending it along to Matter of Trust, a San Francisco non-profit organization. This fur, along with human hair and donated nylons, is being stuffed...
Serving Up a $69 "Haute Dog"
Usually when you go to the ballpark it’s the lousy, water-downed beer that’s overpriced, not the hotdog. But you don’t drink a beer with this hotdog and you won’t find it at a ball game. Serendipity 3 in New York City, the same restaurant that proffered up the $1,000 ice-cream sundae, now serves up a $69 hotdog, or “haute dog.” Read more… http://dlvr.it/3vvLZ
The Seaweed Defense
Though they hardly stand a chance against our human environmental footprint, the vegetables of the sea have been cleansing and purifying the world’s oceans since long before _homo erectus_, and are ready, willing and able to extend their ecological uses to the detoxification of your body. All the vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fiber join in healthy harmony to help rid the body of heavy metals...
The Seaweed Defense
Though they hardly stand a chance against our human environmental footprint, the vegetables of the sea have been cleansing and purifying the world’s oceans since long before _homo erectus_, and are ready, willing and able to extend their ecological uses to the detoxification of your body. All the vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fiber join in healthy harmony to help rid the body of heavy metals...
Can Salad Bar Project Save School Lunch Programs?
Whole Foods Market has teamed with “Renegade Lunch Lady” Chef Ann Cooper for the Salad Bar Project, designed to bring fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and healthy proteins to school cafeterias. “We see partnering with our shoppers to raise funds for salad bars in local schools as an immediate way for us to come together and make an impact on our children’s health in the communities we...
The Heart of Feng Shui
When I first heard that the stove was one of the most powerful tools used in the ancient practice of Feng Shui, I thought it sounded pretty crazy. My stove? How could that possibly affect my health, wealth and relationships? Turns out after 13 years of study and consulting clients, I have not only recognized its potency – I have been humbled by it. Read more… http://dlvr.it/3scFL
What's in Fast Food Chicken? (Hint: It’s NOT...
Frying chicken is fairly simple, if a little messy. You dip pieces of chicken into a mix of egg and milk, roll them around in flour and spices, then cook the chicken in sizzling hot oil until the pieces are brown, crispy and delicious. Read more… http://dlvr.it/3sNn6
Farm Aid Announces Concert Lineup
OrganicAuthority has long supported Farm Aid, founded 25 years ago to support local and organic family farmers. This year’s concert will be held Oct. 2 at Miller Park in Milwaukee, WI, with the following artist lineup: *
Eggs Recalled Over Salmonella Concerns
Wright County Egg is recalling specific brands of shell eggs because they may be contaminated with salmonella_._ Eggs (cartons of 6, 12 and 18) were distributed in California, Illinois, Missouri, Colorado, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa under the following brand names: *
New Recall: Fresh Express Veggie Lover’s Salad
Fresh Express is recalling 2,825 cases of its Veggie Lover’s Bagged Salad with a Product Code of I208 and a Use-by Date of Aug. 10. The salads may be contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes (Lm). No other Fresh Express salads are included in the recall, and no illnesses have been reported to date. If you have this product at home, discard it immediately. For additional information,...
Warm Tomato and Cucumber Salad
Cucumbers on the grill? Absolutely! They’re even better when freshly picked from your organic garden. Today’s recipe pairs English cucumbers with juicy tomatoes, and prep time is minimal. Use a grill basket to prevent veggies from slipping through the grate. All of the ingredients should be available at a well-stocked natural and organic food store. http://dlvr.it/3ktNc
8 Organic and Vegan-Friendly LA Food Trucks
Food trucks are sweeping the nation, and in Los Angeles, where the trend started, there are a plethora of choices, including from Korean, Chinese, Mexican, New American, and many more. In true west coast style, many of them cater to the vegan population. Here’s a roundup of 8 vegan-friendly food trucks: Read more… http://dlvr.it/3kFq7
8 Organic and Vegan-Friendly LA Food Trucks
Food trucks are sweeping the nation, and in Los Angeles, where the trend started, there are a plethora of choices, including from Korean, Chinese, Mexican, New American, and many more. In true west coast style, many of them cater to the vegan population. Here’s a roundup of 8 vegan-friendly food trucks: Read more… http://dlvr.it/3kFq7
Obama Served Gulf Seafood, But Is It Safe to Eat?
It might not sound appetizing to you, but seafood from the Gulf of Mexico was the main course at Pres. Obama’s White House birthday bash on Sunday, and all the guests ate it up. I understand that the president wants to support Louisiana fishers, but think about it for a minute: over 200 million gallons of oil escaped from the Deepwater Horizon well in the Gulf of Mexico by the time it was...
Hot Weather Might Drive Up the Cost of Flour
Do you like muffins, cookies, and bread? Well, you better get it while it’s - uh - hot, because industry experts say the abnormally hot weather could hurt wheat crops in many countries, raising the price of flour. Read more… http://dlvr.it/3jQtB
