Grow Organic and Share The Wealth

This is my new vegetable garden.  It is the result of the generousity and kindness of a few wonderful people who helped to make it happen.  Someone noticed I was trying to dig thru hard, rocky soil.  He and a friend showed up with a rototiller and they tilled the garden for me.  Then, they came back with the fencing.  Another person gave me tomato stakes so I could erect the fencing.  A complete stranger gave me twine so I could mark my lines and the vegetables could be planted in straight rows.  Another fellow helped carry buckets of water to the site...and help is on the way to install a remote irrigation system.  I told the deer, bunnies and other furry creatures who were watching from the shrubs and laughing their heads off at the fencing that this was just 'for show'.  Everybody has to have something to eat, so while their having happy hour in the garden once the veggies grow, please leave a little for me too!
Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  An organic garden might not be the prettiest visually, but it's all natural.  Just remember to share the wealth with the natural creatures, and they'll share with you!

Eat Right For Good Health

Going to the grocery store can sometimes be challenging.  What to buy?  What's healthy?  Should I buy organic?  What should I eat?

Here Are Your Tips For Healthy Eating:
Tour the perimeter of your grocery store. This is where you will find fresh fruits and vegetables, and all–natural dairy and meats.  This will certainly fill your basket!  Try to purchase organic foods as often as possible. Look for a label that states 'certified organic and pesticide free'.  Visit your local farmers’ market; usually the prices are a bit cheaper than the grocery store for all organic produce. If you've got a little plot of land, grow your own. Wash nonorganic produce; soak them for 20 minutes in water with salt and fresh lemon juice or vinegar.  Avoid high–pesticide foods, such as grapes, peaches, lettuce, strawberries, apples, pears, bell peppers, kale, carrots, celery, and nectarines.  Natural, hormone–free beef and chicken, and choose wild–caught fish are your best bets for animal protein.

Kale is Delicious, Cheap and Good for You

This past weekend, I went to one of my very favorite places...the local farmer's market.  The ladies that own the farm and market are always happy to see me and we enjoy discussing what's been new in the kitchen, how my herbal garden is faring and what the local news is.  This week, I picked up the most wonderful kale.  (Wipe that look off your face; it's good for you and tasty as can be!).  For you readers who have no idea what to do with kale, here's the skinny on this fabulous, delicious and cheap to eat vegetable!  Kale is full of vitamins, minerals and health-enhancing antioxidants. Kale will satisfy your hunger because it's filled with fiber, calcium (for better bones) and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Kale will assist your body’s natural detox system, and is considered one of the finest anit-cancer, anti-heart disease warrior foods. Kale costs approximately 60 cents a cup and is so simple to prepare. Remove the center ribs of its leaves, then slice it into thin ribbons. Sautee' with a bit of olive oil and garlic; eat it with your favorite pasta, meat or fish.  Kale is a wonderful addition to any soup, stew or sauce.  It makes a great substitute for brocoli-rabe.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  get out your sautee' pan, take that silly 6yr old look off your face and try some kale today....it's tasty, cheap and good for you!  Tonight, I'm going to make lobster ravioli, sauteed in a sage butter sauce (only use 'real' butter!  I use goat or buffalo butter) with a side of sauteed kale for a main course.  A side salad to complement the meal and I'm set!  If you barbeque, try some sauteed kale with your kebabs!!