Color Me Raw!  Getting Back to Organic Food

Growing up in Florida (Riviera Beach), my grandmother had an organic vegetable garden in her back yard.  She also had a variety of fruit trees; mango, orange, grapefruit, fig, lime and avocado.  I always looked forward to going  over grandma and grandpa’s house to get vegetables and fruit from their back yard and to see them of course. 

I remember during the fall, we had fresh squeezed orange and grapefruit juice.  If my grandmother and grandfather wanted sugar cane or corn (organic), they would drive about 80 miles to Belle Glade to pick or purchase it; and I looked forward to the ride.  I must tell you, the soil in Belle Glade was black (literally) and rich in minerals!  The corn was soooo sweet; we ate it raw!  My mouth is watering right now thinking about it.  I can’t say that about the food in the grocery store.  What has happened to the food?

I don’t think it’s anyone fault in particular, it’s a consequence of lifestyle change, supply and demand dynamics.  But it is our cooperative chance to take action and support our local organic farmers.  It is unfortunate that organic farmers have been shoved to the side for a commerce only system.

Buying organic food promotes a less toxic environment for all living things. With only 0.5 percent of crop and pasture land is organically prepared, according to USDA that leaves 99.5 percent of farm acres in the U.S. at risk of exposure to noxious agricultural chemicals.   Scientists now know what we eaters have known all along: organic food often tastes better. It makes sense that strawberries taste yummier when raised in harmony with nature, but researchers at Washington State University just proved this as fact in lab taste trials where the organic berries were consistently judged as sweeter.

People are rediscovering the benefits of buying food from local organic farmers.  It is fresher than anything in the supermarket and it tastes better and more nutritious. Buying directly from organic farmers helps them stay in business.  So let’s get back to our organic roots by supporting our local organic farmers.  It will truly make your soul rejoice!

Color Me Raw! Oh How Sweet It Is!

As a child and even now, I always enjoyed cooking.  Wow, I have so many fond memories of family gatherings during the holidays or just because.

During the holidays I found myself in the kitchen helping my momma, Aunt Betty and my grandmother’s prepare the food.  I looked forward to yams (will discuss in a few), sweet potato soufflé and sweet potato pies because I wanted to lick the bowl.  Back then (the 70”s), the sweet potatoes were deep orange and so sweet, you can eat them raw; sometimes I still do.  However, they still are deep orange and very sweet if you purchase the organic ones.

Health Benefits of Chlorella and Spirulina - Astounding!

GET YOUR GREEN ON!

Spring is in the air and summer is right around the corner;  if you are like me, I do not like eating heavy foods during the summer; it’s just too hot and I feel miserable!  Okay, what can you consume and still get the overall health benefits?  Chlorella and spirulina!  In fact, both chlorella and spirulina have been described as "the perfect and complete food."  

Kale Wrap!

NOW THAT’S A WRAP!

Kale is one of the healthiest vegetables around!  Whenever I mention kale, the majority of people look at me with raised eyebrows and ask "What's that?"  That’s when I let them know the health benefits of kale are endless.  It is an incredibly healthy vegetable!  Kale is rich and abundant in calcium, lutein, iron, Vitamins A, C, and K.  Kale has seven times the beta-carotene of broccoli, ten times more lutein; and the all important antioxidant Vitamin E. 

Carrots!  Colorful and Healthy!

Did you know five hundred years ago most carrots were white?  That’s what I said; white!  It was said that carrots were first cultivated in Afghanistan in the 7th century, and they started with yellow flesh and a purple exterior.  Purple, red, black, yellow and white; these were the colors that carrots started out with; not orange

Color Me Raw - What is Canola Anyway?

Today's blog was written by guest blogger . . . Dr. Pamela Howard

My friends and I used to wonder where canola oil actually comes from. No one I’d spoken with had ever heard of this particular vegetable from which we derive the oil. We were positive it was some synthetic hoax to get you to think you were doing something “healthy” by choosing this “vegetable” oil.

Whatta Melon!  Where Did The Watermelon Originate?

Can you guess where the watermelon originated? Watermelon originated in the Kalahari Desert in Africa. The first watermelon was in Egypt 5,000 years ago. The harvests are depicted in hieroglyphics on ancient Egyptian walls. Watermelon seeds were recovered from the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamen. The watermelon spread along the Mediterranean basin countries by way of merchant trading ships.  Watermelon is also mentioned in the bible as a food eaten by the ancient Israelites while they were in bondage in Egypt.