A Few Good Herbs Go A Long Way

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  The garden looks like Sing-Sing prison, but the results are becoming outstanding.  Some of the wonderful dishes I'm serving up this week with the herbs I've planted are:  buffalo mozzarella with fresh tomatoes, basil and balsamic vinegar...chicken salad with lemon thyme, dijon mustard, a touch of mayo and horseradish....fresh tomato basil florentine soup with home made tortellini....lapin moutarde with fresh sage in white wine, shallots and dijon mustard.  It's all healthy, organic, fresh and fabulous!  How's your garden doing so far?  Care to share recipes with us?  Write in and I'll post them.

Get Healthy - Grow A Garden

This morning's FT printed an article about China's purchase of a huge quantity of corn (corn for livestock feed is scarce); this will drive the price of soybeans over an already obscenely high rate.  Genetically modified foods are being 'grown' en masse to a point of being scary (Mother Nature really should not be messed with).  I've been offered a small plot of land to start a much larger herbal garden this year...the space is perfect for some nightshades and squashes as well.  I've decided to take the plunge and give it a try.  I'll have to have a small conversation with all the hairy and furry critters that might think this is their very own farmer's market...they'll have to share all the veggies with me - the farmer.  I, in turn, will have to grow enough so that everyone has enough to eat.  At least me, my loved one and all the hairy and furry things that eat  the produce from my garden will have organically grown and fresh food.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you have the opportunity to turn a small plot of land into an organic vegetable garden this year - do it!  The exercise and fresh air will do you some good, but an organic supply of produce for you and your loved ones will ensure healthy eating!

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!!