tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29492357128139865602012-01-26T06:20:27.132-06:00Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.comBlogger781100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-78719798515260418192011-12-09T14:51:00.001-06:002011-12-09T14:52:42.994-06:00

I've started a new activity for the winter, which is Wednesday soup and open craft time for my friends.  I'll make a big pot of soup each week, and enjoy the company of whoever is available that day while we work on projects together after lunch.  Leftover soup is never a problem in this house... I like to eat it for breakfast and lunch, and Lavender takes it for lunch, too. This week's soup was

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-71156121738022006162011-10-24T22:10:00.000-05:002011-10-24T22:10:24.278-05:00

The constant availability of sugar in many forms has to be a large part of the current obesity epidemic. Everywhere we go, someone is offering Lavender or all of us candy, a cookie, or some other flour- or sugar-based item.   It makes me crazy.  Food does not need to be a part of every activity in which we participate! And now it's nearly Halloween, just one of the sugar-dominated holidays of

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-31835533981349033742011-10-20T07:44:00.000-05:002011-10-20T07:44:51.290-05:00

Lavender doesn't carry a cell phone, but we are a cell-phone-only household and so she occasionally uses mine, usually on speaker mode.  However, when I see a study like this, I pay attention:Cellphones Exceed U.S. FCC Exposure Limits by as Much as Double for Children, Study Findsexcerpt: "The paper notes that the industry-designed process for evaluating microwave radiation from phones results

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-48873302442371851852011-10-19T08:40:00.000-05:002011-10-19T08:40:52.613-05:00

The Senate stood up for potatoes and corn this week when the Obama administration proposed limiting starchy vegetables to 1c/week in school lunches (how did corn ever become a vegetable, anyway?).  Simple solution: serve them, but don't count them as vegetables, but rather toward the grain portion of the meal, which is often overloaded anyway. Non-starchy vegetables have higher nutrient levels by

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-22172224789883296822011-10-16T15:24:00.000-05:002011-10-16T15:24:31.299-05:00

Quinoa is a seed that is treated as a grain, and which is cooked exactly like white rice (1:2 ratio, cook for 20 minutes after bringing to a boil).  It has a light, fluffy texture much like couscous.  Rinse and cook 1 c. quinoa for 4 breakfast servings.  Add butter, or fruit and nuts, milk and cinnamon, or cooked greens with whatever else your taste buds fancy.  Refrigerate or freeze extra

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-83963801017331585042011-10-12T17:57:00.000-05:002011-10-14T05:47:17.718-05:00

This wrap is loosely based on summer rolls, the fresh and delicious, not-fried rolls that are on the menu at some Thai and Vietnamese restaurants, made with rice paper wrappers.  per serving: 1 tortilla of choice (not corn) - mine were 6" so if you use very large tortillas, adjust quantities below accordingly 1 Tbsp peanut or almond butter 1/4 tsp tamari or soy sauce 1/4 c shredded Romaine or

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-75455177963245982952011-10-10T09:25:00.000-05:002011-10-14T05:47:17.719-05:00

 Cream cheese and jam on sprouted whole grain bread ($0.50), carrot and cucumber sticks ($0.25), olives ($0.25), prune plums ($0.25).  Total $1.25.  Homemade chicken spaetzle soup ($1.00), carrot sticks ($0.25), pickles ($0.20), and homemade apple crisp ($0.10 - from homegrown apples).  Total $1.55.  It was difficult to estimate the cost of the soup since the stock and much of the chicken came

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-26082176577193637802011-09-30T21:47:00.001-05:002011-10-14T05:46:10.289-05:00

It's fall harvest time - roasted root vegetables are a favorite.  Tonight, parsnips, beets, and carrots, cut into strips to maximize child interest and dipping ability.  Lavender liked all of them plain ("I have so many favorite foods!" she said) ... but decided that they were even better with ketchup. Now for a few of this week's packed lunches and how they compare to school lunch at $2.35.  In

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-88824150734244027972011-09-23T22:52:00.000-05:002011-10-14T05:47:17.719-05:00

 I finally updated the "menu" following completion of the allergy elimination diet.  As you will notice, bread is still mostly off the list - completely, for me. We all found the food listing to be a handy reminder of good things to eat during the elimination - it reduced the tendency to fall back on typical snack items.  Lavender particularly likes to look at the menu when thinking of what she

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-18157401694710782032011-08-30T16:24:00.000-05:002011-10-14T05:47:17.720-05:00

It's been over 4 months since we began the elimination diet, and all foods have now been tested.  I did not find any allergies, but I did learn about some food sensitivities that I never would have uncovered had those foods stayed in regular rotation.  I also lost about 15 pounds (even though I was within normal BMI range), primarily from the elimination of flour and sugar.  This experience has

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-20946154412323524232011-07-02T05:45:00.001-05:002011-10-14T05:47:17.720-05:00

If you're paying premium prices for natural and organic hot dogs, with "no added nitrites,"  read about happens to the "natural nitrates" from the celery juice powder that is typically used - and, alarmingly, how high the levels are. "Applegate and other natural companies have proposed alternate wording to the U.S.D.A. in the past without success. They say they are confident their products

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-78689768558234142122011-06-23T05:50:00.000-05:002011-10-14T05:47:17.721-05:00

After cooking a recipe that called for using a blender to combine fresh ginger with water, and finding that it had an incredible flavor compared to mincing the ginger before cooking, I decided to prep all of the ginger that I bought this way and freeze it in ice cubes.  1-2 cubes add lots of gingery flavor to the average stir-fry or curry!

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-61896824227023261892011-06-08T14:24:00.000-05:002011-06-08T14:24:05.119-05:00

The asparagus did not like the cold, wet spring (it snowed at least 5 times in April), but we had some delicious Red Russian kale last week.   Up next: probably the strawberries or radishes.

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-979444614358103432011-06-04T21:50:00.000-05:002011-10-14T05:47:17.721-05:00

Instead of the full list of this week's menus, I'm just going to list new items.  Breakfasts and lunches were the same as previous weeks, until we introduced eggs on Friday.  We had hard-boiled eggs with our lunches - quite a treat after all these weeks. The only new dinner was a Mexican-style rice with kidney beans and green beans, which made some extra lunches as well.

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-80677994329687962732011-05-28T19:31:00.000-05:002011-10-14T05:47:17.721-05:00

Breakfasts Homemade turkey sausage patties Buckwheat-almond Pancakes with maple syrup (re-introduced this week) Oatmeal Fruit and nuts Half avocado and apple Random leftovers Lunches Chicken, lettuce wrappers Broccoli salad with cashew-prune dressing Salads Red lentil daal Dinners Cod and salad Rice pasta, chicken sausage, steamed vegetables (2 nights) Lamb pot roast, potatoes, carrots,

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-57324423042173101582011-05-26T09:47:00.001-05:002011-05-26T09:53:51.810-05:00

Even Easier Granola 6 c rolled oats, old-fashioned or thick cut 1 T cinnamon 1 c unsweetened applesauce Mix cinnamon and oats, then add applesauce and mix thoroughly.  Spread on 2 lightly oiled baking sheets and bake at 300F for 20 minutes.  Shake pans lightly and switch locations in oven; bake for another 20 minutes.  Allow to cool on pans and then store in refrigerator.   Add dried fruit,

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-39286206450223659402011-05-25T22:06:00.000-05:002011-05-26T09:52:15.856-05:00

Borders Books Barnes and Noble Half Price Books

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-9093335926669659092011-05-25T14:06:00.004-05:002011-05-26T10:00:20.333-05:00

I was slightly dismayed when I realized that we would be on the full elimination during the peak of rhubarb season, but then I thought about my successes in sweetening muffins and cookies with only dried fruit.  Now that I've been off sugar for 5 weeks, I'm not sure that I even want to test it after the elimination period is completed.   There are so many flavors available in fresh, whole foods -

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-23685209790376228632011-05-19T21:34:00.000-05:002011-05-25T14:14:56.520-05:00

This is the last week before we begin slowly testing foods.  It will be about 2 months before we test gluten and dairy. Breakfasts Buckwheat-almond pancakes with applesauce Half avocado with banana (this might have triggered a migraine) Oatmeal Granola with unsweetened rice milk Gingered black-eyed pea soup from the freezer Lunches Chicken with lettuce or spinach leaves for wrapping Broccoli

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-1184571005471631292011-05-14T20:25:00.001-05:002011-05-14T20:28:32.932-05:00

My daughter hated the red lentil soup we had two nights ago (she loves regular lentils - I wasn't expecting this).  However, I completely redeemed myself in her eyes with this breakfast today.  She ate hers with both applesauce and the blueberry sauce. Adapted from delshadduo.blogspot.com 1.5 c buckwheat flour 0.5 c almond meal 1 t baking soda 1 t cream of tartar 1 t cinnamon 2 c unsweetened

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-66506192416618371242011-05-14T20:14:00.001-05:002011-05-14T20:28:46.580-05:00

We're halfway there! --- almost (Not counting the many weeks it will take to slowly reintroduce foods.). This week's foods: Breakfasts Avocado-mango salad Fruit & nuts Oatmeal Homemade granola with almond milk Homemade turkey "sausage" with fruit Buckwheat-almond pancakes with blueberry sauce Lunches (home & packed): Salads Broccoli salad (the dressing works really well with a couple of soaked

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-72149341413842558412011-05-09T07:05:00.000-05:002011-05-26T09:52:15.856-05:00

Hitting the Bottle "our regulatory system allows manufacturers to introduce or continue to use chemicals that have not been adequately tested for safety. A manufacturer can replace BPA with another untested compound and get a few years’ use out of it before it, too, becomes the subject of health alerts or news media attention. By the time we know what those new chemicals do to us, entire

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-68011606909017020602011-05-05T19:16:00.002-05:002011-05-06T06:54:32.302-05:00

Breakfasts: Roasted sweet potatoes with cinnamon and chopped pecans Gingered Black-eyed Pea Soup Quinoa Oatmeal Homemade granola with almond milk Avocado half and sliced apple with cinnamon Lunches: (home & packed) Broccoli salad with Cashew-Sweet Potato Dressing Lentil soup with chickpea crackers Salad of mixed greens, vegetables, pepitas, and strawberries Dinner leftovers Snacks Coconut

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-16585535352440337092011-05-05T18:50:00.002-05:002011-06-12T20:11:16.530-05:00

Chickpea Crackers Modified from Fatfree Vegan Kitchen 1/2 c chickpea flour 1/4 t salt 1/2 t paprika or other seasoning of choice (I've also used a mixed, salt-free seasoning, oregano, and turmeric+cumin) 1.5 t olive oil 2-3 T water Mix dry ingredients together.  Add oil and 2 T water.  Mix well and try to form a ball from the dough.  If it is still quite crumbly, add 1/2 T water at a time and

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-91626161197480876062011-05-05T08:39:00.000-05:002011-05-05T08:40:32.597-05:00

Air Pollution Near Michigan Schools Linked to Poorer Student Health, Academic Performance"Half of all states, including Michigan, do not require any evaluation of the environmental quality of areas under consideration as sites for new schools, nor do they prohibit building new industrial facilities and highways near existing schools.Children are known to be more vulnerable than adults to the

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-84517199272231499012011-05-04T23:04:00.000-05:002011-05-04T23:14:38.809-05:00

8 oz black-eyed peas 1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped 1 carrot, finely chopped 1 small sweet potato, roasted Ginger, about 1 cubic inch, peeled and minced 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp cardamon 1 tsp turmeric 1/2 tsp cumin 1/2 tsp salt 1 c fresh spinach, washed and packed Add black-eyed peas, pepper, carrot, and ginger to slow cooker.  Add water to cover by about 1".  Cook on high for 2 hours or

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-14097865700778966312011-05-04T22:58:00.001-05:002011-05-04T23:14:38.809-05:00

Right before dinner, my daughter told me she didn't like broccoli anymore.  Then she ate about 2c of this salad and told me it was the best dinner ever.  About 3 c finely chopped broccoli, including tender stems 3 prunes, minced 3 dried apricots, minced (sulfite-free) 1/4 c cashews 1/4 c boiling water 1 T roasted sweet potato 1 T rice vinegar Soak cashews in boiling water for at least 10

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-86080758153769242542011-05-04T22:54:00.005-05:002011-05-04T23:14:38.809-05:00

Add fresh herbs to the rolls if you have any.  We just had what I hope will be our last snow of the year here and fresh herbs are only a fond memory.  This sauce is also tasty on steamed vegetables. Sauce 6 dried apricots, minced 3 prunes, minced 3/4 c boiling water 1 T almond butter 1 t coconut aminos 1 T rice vinegar 1 t toasted sesame oil Pour boiling water over the dried fruit and allow to

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-66332238274202126012011-04-30T09:43:00.000-05:002011-04-30T20:49:55.194-05:00

Breakfasts: Fruit & Nuts Homemade granola with almond milk (6 c gluten-free oats mixed with about 1c homemade, unsweetened applesauce with cinnamon and baked at 300F until toasted and dried, about an hour.  Store in refrigerator.) Quinoa with olive oil and salt Turkey-vegetable soup (see below) Curried rice with green beans (leftovers, see below) GF oatmeal Lunches at home: Dinner leftovers

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-69200745976128052932011-04-29T21:43:00.000-05:002011-04-30T20:49:45.544-05:00

Our family has embarked on an allergy elimination diet that will (hopefully?  or not?) help pinpoint a cause for some chronic health issues.  For 6 weeks, we are eschewing gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, corn, peanuts, citrus, shellfish, beef, pork, sugar, and chocolate.  Nearing the end of week 1, I can say that it hasn't been as difficult as I feared.  We're eating a record amount of fresh produce

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-61450003141943057702011-02-08T21:28:00.001-06:002011-02-20T21:46:43.621-06:00

My daughter was clearly enamored with the pudding cups that some kids have brought in their packed lunches, so she was thrilled when I told her I would make some "real" pudding.  I made a vegan chocolate pudding today in about 20 minutes. Bittersweet Chocolate Pudding (about 12 small, rich servings) 3 c unsweetened soy or almond milk (I used a mixture of both) 1/4 c sugar (if your "milk" is

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-64785920842846228802011-02-01T08:28:00.000-06:002011-02-08T21:54:30.723-06:00

Government's Dietary Advice: Eat Less "As the nation’s obesity crisis continues unabated, federal regulators on Monday issued their bluntest nutrition advice to date: drink water instead of sugary drinks like soda, fill your plate with fruits and vegetables and cut down on processed foods filled with sodium, fat or sugar."

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-50536097876067468152010-10-29T23:00:00.002-05:002010-10-29T23:10:17.491-05:00

...are often made into a joke.  You know, the one about the drawer full of healthy green stuff that rots slowly while the owner eats chips and salsa or crackers and cheese? I admit to having lost my share of produce to slime, mold, and dessication over the years, and it still happens, but not nearly as often.  What has helped me limit food waste more than anything else is an hour of veggie prep

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-30639557166907625012010-10-14T19:55:00.000-05:002010-10-14T19:55:33.251-05:00

1 lb. dried black beans, soaked overnight 1 t. cumin seed 2 T. dried red bell pepper 3 bay leaves 1 medium or large butternut squash 1/2 onion, finely chopped 2 small or 1 large green bell peppers, diced into 3/4 inch cubes 15 oz. crushed tomatoes 1 c. frozen corn or more to taste 2 t. powdered cumin 2 t. oregano salt and pepper to taste splash of balsamic vinegar and/or honey to adjust flavors

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-40951597814777342182010-09-10T19:38:00.002-05:002010-10-29T23:07:38.792-05:00

Read what sugar does to your brain in this article at New Scientist.

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-59699997117994640342010-09-02T21:54:00.000-05:002010-10-29T23:06:27.605-05:00

A study performed on organic vs conventional California strawberries found that "organic strawberries (compared to non-organic strawberries): Had a longer shelf life (took longer to rot) Had a greater quantity of dry matter Had higher antioxidant activity Had higher levels of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) Had higher concentrations of health-protecting compounds (phenolic compounds) Had lower

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-38723267382177978212010-08-26T21:00:00.001-05:002010-10-29T23:08:41.775-05:00

Current suspect in the enormous (550 million eggs!) egg recall: the "meat and bone meal" added to chicken feed. Last I heard, chickens don't eat meat. If that's not enough to turn you off battery-produced eggs, read about how the "farms" violated regulations.  (Read: factories)

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-64784218431402954532010-06-29T08:17:00.005-05:002010-06-29T08:19:04.948-05:00

DCA Research Team publishes results of Clinical Trials Excerpt: "In 2007 the U of A[lberta] team...  published evidence that DCA reverses cancer growth in non-human models and test tubes. The team showed then that DCA achieves these antitumor effects by altering the metabolism of cancer. By altering the way cancer handles its nutrient fuels, specifically the sugars, DCA was able to

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-81318892220622386002010-06-29T08:17:00.002-05:002010-06-29T08:19:47.676-05:00

A large study has linked a diet of 3 burgers weekly to a higher incidence of asthma, and a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and/or fish to a reduced risk.  While they do note that 3 burgers/week probably indicates a person has other unhealthy habits (and are there fries going along with those burgers?), this immediately reminds me of the anti-inflammatory diet and the link between

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-69208485972044761182010-06-29T08:16:00.001-05:002010-06-29T08:19:04.949-05:00

If you have a school-aged child, you've probably received notices about lice having been found on someone in the school.  This article in today's NY Times gives details of a pesticide-free alternative using Cetaphil lotion and a hair dryer, and also discusses pesticide resistance in lice and the lice life cycle.

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-15739669897427282332010-06-29T08:15:00.000-05:002010-06-29T08:19:47.677-05:00

An easy way to encourage children to eat more vegetables, reported by Penn State researchers: give them the veggies first. Excerpt: When the children received 30 grams (about 1 ounce) of carrots at the start of the meal, their vegetable intake rose by nearly 50 percent compared to having no carrots as a first course. But when the first course was increased to 60 grams (about 2 ounces)

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-69993289308804290112010-06-29T08:13:00.002-05:002010-06-29T08:19:04.950-05:00

Recent studies  have estimated that 8.6% of American children have ADHD, which has exploded with a 400% increase in the past twenty years.  A study released this week examined data for over 1000 children, looking at urine metabolite levels from organophosphate pesticides.  The complete Pediatrics article is available for free; it was also widely reported in the media.  Some background

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-32813438659551346852010-06-29T08:12:00.000-05:002010-06-29T08:19:55.877-05:00

Several brands of single-serving juices and canned fruit products were found to contain lead levels above the limits established for children by the FDA.  Read more. The Environmental Law Foundation conducted testing of many products in an independent laboratory.  A list of all products that exceeded the CA Proposition 65 lead limit is available here.  Note that it includes both organic

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-91413407996547364042010-06-17T07:07:00.000-05:002010-06-29T08:20:28.850-05:00

My grandmother always used vinegar for itchy mosquito bites, and since moving to Minnesota we've had many occasions to try it.  It stops the itching and is effective for at least a few hours.  Any type of vinegar seems to work. Natural mosquito repellents

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-84473218921954406612010-05-12T19:40:00.001-05:002010-10-29T23:08:41.776-05:00

I have dandelions in my yard.  Not just one here and there that can be easily removed by digging.  No - I have lots of them.  There are some places where they grow better than grass.  That's how it is. I also have this: My neighbors have no dandelions or any other broad-leafed plant mixed with their turfgrass, but that's because they coat their lawns with toxic chemicals.  It's their choice,

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-182242104326095722010-05-06T08:54:00.000-05:002010-05-07T20:06:09.198-05:00

The BBC reported today that "Women under 50 'face work stress risk.'"  In particular, "After accounting for risk factors such as smoking and diabetes, the researchers found that those who described pressure at work as "much too high" were 35% more likely to have developed heart disease than those who were comfortable with the pressure. But when they broke the results down by age, they found

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-48690647299671078692010-05-04T21:08:00.004-05:002010-05-07T20:06:28.495-05:00

Have you planted your garden yet?  The season is about a month ahead of a typical year here in Minnesota - I'm already cutting asparagus!  Here are some of the gardening references I've found to be useful for both food-producing plants and landscaping.  Gardening calendar: gardening activities by season Vegetable planting dates from the University of Minnesota Extension Planting the vegetable

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-50987826249607251192010-05-03T22:29:00.005-05:002010-05-03T22:46:55.253-05:00

School lunch has been discussed more this year than any other in my memory, given the activity in Congress for increasing funding and updating standards as well as Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. The NY Times reported that "the new standards will require more fruits, vegetables and whole grains and, for the first time, limit the amount of calories in each meal." I'm glad there is energy

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-90798762824157000162010-04-23T06:47:00.010-05:002010-04-29T19:33:02.320-05:00

A couple of studies in the news provide more evidence for a whole-foods based diet.Read about how your body responds to different forms of sugar - fructose vs sucrose vs glucose - in this article by Time. The original scientific article is available here.Scientific American reports that there is"More Evidence that Refined Carbohydrates, not Fats, Threaten the Heart." Slate Magazine provides

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-76669819744131257252010-03-12T09:09:00.005-06:002010-03-12T12:00:46.858-06:00

I buy free range chickens in the fall at our farmers' market and freeze them for winter. They are tremendously different from supermarket chickens. I find that they have a lot less fat and a lot more flavor. Generally one chicken gives us at least 5 meals. I roast the chicken the first day, in a covered pan with potatoes and vegetables. The carcass goes into the slow cooker overnight with

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-4297038551396285862010-03-12T09:05:00.003-06:002010-03-12T09:41:48.409-06:00

I am trying an experimental gluten-free month to see if it has any impact. Since day 2, I've felt unusually uncongested.I was really disappointed when I started to look at GF cookbooks. Most cooking isn't a problem, but baking, of course, relies entirely on wheat. Barley flour has gluten in it, so that's out. Ditto for rye. Most GF recipes use a combination of a grain flour and grain

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-71405334357254532232010-02-19T07:18:00.001-06:002010-03-12T09:28:35.198-06:00

Life can be complicated. Schedules are crazy - while I know that neither of my parents ever kept a calendar, I can't function without mine - and I try to limit activities so that we all have some down time. So when I find an action that makes my life easier, I make it a habit!Here are ten things I've done that simplify my life:cooking oatmeal overnight in the slow cooker, so that busy school

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-34115293732803778392010-02-07T18:46:00.003-06:002010-03-12T09:28:35.198-06:00

Buckwheat flour is readily available at most natural foods stores. These can easily be made gluten- and dairy-free. We eat these for supper, but in smaller quantities, they could also be a snack or an appetizer, or even a dessert.This is modified from Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything Vegetarian.For about 14 crepes:1 c buckwheat flour1/4 c all-purpose flour or other flour1/4 tsp salt1/2

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-54993330155538099492010-01-11T21:17:00.001-06:002010-03-12T09:28:35.199-06:00

Modified from Vegetarian Classics by Jeanne Lemlin8 servingsFilling:2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil2 small onions, diced2 bell peppers, diced2 carrots, peeled and dicedother vegetables as available: corn, zucchini or yellow squash, spinach1/2 pound dried black beans, sorted, rinsed, soaked, and cooked1 tsp ground cumin1 tsp oreganoSauce:2 c salsa1 c milk or 1 c tomato sauce, depending on the type

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-53435382923705301132009-12-18T16:46:00.004-06:002010-01-11T20:07:04.401-06:00

Last year I decided to turn various bits of fabric that were leftover from projects, and which had been taking up space in my craft corner for at least 5 years, into gift bags.I love them.No paper to buy, wrap, and trash. No tape. The gift bags fold and take up very little space when stored. The ones I've made are lined and have a nice weight to them; lining fabric can also be scrap fabric, or

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-60613197574211577642009-12-16T19:59:00.002-06:002009-12-18T17:02:41.258-06:00

This is for my friend Jennifer, who has to cook dairy-free for a while due to her infant's potential allergies. These are some ideas for easy dairy-free meals.Breakfast:Just about anything you might have other than breakfast cereal, which you can of course prepare with soy or rice milk. Read labels as some nondairy "milks" contain a lot of sugar.For pancakes or waffles, you can sub prepared

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-87378599422841141722009-11-30T19:44:00.004-06:002009-12-18T17:02:50.065-06:00

One way I like to make my days easier is by not having to worry about dinner when I'm exhausted. Slow cookers seem to have undergone a revival in recent years, but, unfortunately, the design of 20 years ago seems to be better than today's.I have a 5-quart Rival Crockpot that I purchased in the mid-1990s. It has a solid glass lid that is fairly heavy. I never knew how important that lid was

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-39348263911632571532009-11-28T20:37:00.001-06:002009-11-28T20:38:21.285-06:00

You can read elsewhere all the reasons (take your pick: health, budget, environment, animal rights) why you might want to reduce meat and dairy products, but here are some things I've learned.I was vegetarian and off dairy for about 10 years... now, I use small amounts of free range poultry in meals. I still prefer my vegetarian cookbooks, though: recipes that are designed to be vegetarian have a

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-44550862268590502192009-11-24T20:53:00.002-06:002010-04-13T08:48:26.911-05:00

The holiday season approaches and many people will be traveling. Since we have family and friends spread out all around the country, we have done a lot of traveling since our daughter was born, including a cross-country road trip when we moved.Here are a few things that make travel more pleasant for us:* About a month before taking a trip, either by car or air, I stash away small, lightweight,

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-52947404418657999002009-11-14T08:19:00.005-06:002010-06-29T08:20:47.547-05:00

Recently, Nielson released numbers indicating that kids under age 6 watch an average of 32 hours of screen time weekly; school-age kids still managed to bank about 28 hours weekly (LA Times).Let's take a look at a week: 168 hours. (168)According to Dr. Sears, kids need, on average, close to 10 hours/night until age 10: 70 hours. (98)School-aged kids are gone at least 7 hours/day: 35 hours. (63)

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-81591598160832066542009-11-11T15:31:00.004-06:002009-11-13T09:12:21.267-06:00

Instead of buying cereal in a big bag and box, make your own in less time than it takes to wait in the grocery checkout. Cost comparison: you can make 2 large batches of granola from 1 42-ounce oatmeal container, which runs about $2.50, which is the least that you'll pay for a one 15-ounce box of cereal. Taste comparison: no contest!Granola6-8 c old fashioned rolled oats1 tbsp cinnamon1/4 c

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-7880051283133735252009-11-09T12:47:00.007-06:002009-11-09T12:56:23.353-06:00

are jewels of the garden. We mostly roast them in their jackets, around 400 degrees, until they are soft to the touch and oozing a little. They require no adornment, although they are tasty with pineapple pieces or minced ginger root mixed in. We rarely have leftovers, but when we do, my daughter likes these even more than pumpkin muffins, and that's saying something:Sweet potato muffins (

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-54525220985792618012009-10-28T20:19:00.007-05:002009-11-09T12:57:19.313-06:00

and, having had the flu this month, I have no desire to get sick again.There are coughs and sneezes happening everywhere, and while I'm most likely to get sick through our school connection, with my daughter in daily contact with 25 other kids, I move away from people who are obviously ill no matter where I am. I do not like to take supplements, preferring to get my nutrients from diet, but I

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-53949382458046625372009-08-27T19:08:00.006-05:002009-08-27T19:57:31.983-05:00

Stir-fry has the reputation of being a time-consuming meal because of the vegetable prep required, but it's my meal of choice when we get home late. Some vegetables are quicker to prepare than others; green beans, carrots, broccoli, and asparagus require very little time. We forgo meat in our stir-fries and use egg, tofu, or nuts.I realize that this long recipe doesn't look like a fast and

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-54233126596731785262009-08-26T12:45:00.007-05:002009-08-26T21:05:53.137-05:00

It's close to the end of summer now, but sunscreens are on my mind because of the recent statement from Consumers Union.There are two primary categories of sunscreens:Chemical sunscreens such as oxybenzone, octisalate, and others; andMineral-based sunscreens such as titanium and zinc oxides.Many sunscreen formulations include both of these categories with multiple effective - or supposedly

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-63065171868435011662009-08-25T14:43:00.003-05:002009-08-26T19:57:15.199-05:00

Standard candles are made from a blend of paraffin wax and stearin. Paraffin is produced from petroleum; stearin can be made from animal or vegetable fats and hardens the paraffin by raising the melting temperature. Candles can also be formed from beeswax, soy wax, or palm wax. A recent study at South Carolina State University found that unscented, uncolored paraffin candles emitted

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-30892140435790898332009-08-02T20:31:00.003-05:002009-08-02T20:50:40.911-05:00

Everyone has, or should have, a few meals that can be assembled and cooked quickly, easily, and without a recipe, for those nights when you'd rather not cook or you get home late. One of my favorites is a frittata. It can be vegetarian or not, dairy-free or not, depending on your preferences and what's hanging around in your refrigerator.Pictured is tonight's dinner - a spinach-summer

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-87830559649728691242009-07-30T08:32:00.008-05:002011-10-14T05:46:33.343-05:00

I've perused multiple library books on packable lunches looking for lunchbox ideas, but most have meals that are clearly intended to be microwaved - something my daughter won't be able to do at school. Her lunch either has to be cold, or packed to stay hot. (Indeed, Minnesota terminology for a packed lunch is apparently "cold lunch" - not the most appetizing name, especially in January.) This

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-56806304677865543212009-07-29T15:01:00.005-05:002009-08-26T19:57:15.199-05:00

Have you ever wondered what your great-grandmother used for cleaning her house before there was an entire row of products in the store? While they do clean, many of these products leave chemical and fragrance residues in your home - neither of which is necessary or desirable. For the price of one commercial cleaning product, you can clean your entire home for a few years! In recent years,

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-59433537580209461712009-07-08T08:41:00.004-05:002009-07-30T20:45:50.716-05:00

The following quote is from a CNN article about changes in U.S. food safety policy:"The rules go into effect within a year for producers with more than 50,000 hens, which produce approximately 71 percent of eggs sold to consumers, the FDA's Sundlof said."Farms of 50,000 hens or more produce 71% of eggs! No wonder the eggs I get from local farmers are so noticeably better than supermarket eggs.

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-60709280810851998152009-07-07T20:55:00.004-05:002009-07-30T07:44:18.931-05:00

My daughter is a beginning reader, and both she and I have been less than thrilled with many of the books for her reading level. So many of them are seriously lacking either in the story or the art department and do not interest her in the least. We have found some materials that we both enjoy, however: Starfall's Learn to Read - this is a fabulous free resource, with phonics-based stories for

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-77221773125314556042009-07-03T13:06:00.002-05:002009-08-02T20:50:57.659-05:00

I've never eaten beet greens until this week. In fact, I've only rarely eaten beets themselves. Last summer I bought them once at the farmers' market - thinking that since there are almost no vegetables I truly dislike, I should see what I can do with them. The beet preparations I experienced in childhood were not fond memories. Roasted, I thought they were ok. This year, I'll try again.

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-42608229778850265582009-06-23T20:17:00.008-05:002009-07-07T21:36:07.182-05:00

My nephew's birthday is coming up and today my daughter and I sat down to make cards. I've made cards off and on for years, mostly on the computer. Since my daughter likes to use watercolors, it's companionable for us to work together at the spare table which is set up for projects. I got out a book we both enjoy (since I never had anything that could be termed art education), I Love to Draw,

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-1743517020821964122009-06-21T15:39:00.002-05:002009-08-02T20:50:48.100-05:00

This is my German grandmother's recipe for an open fruit tart. It is simple, full of delicious fruit flavor. I especially like it with blueberries or blackberries. I'm thinking of baking this crust and then putting fresh strawberries on top. In Germany, it would never be served without a dollop of real whipped cream.Mürbe Teig (I think this means something like "crumbly dough")1 1/3 c flour1/

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-66039903226069579412009-06-20T20:04:00.003-05:002009-07-30T20:45:27.565-05:00

4 pounds picked today from our 8'x4' raised bed, with the total so far this season about 8 pounds of organic berries. More strawberry popsicles.Strawberry cake.Just strawberries.I'm thinking of planting strawberries all over my front yard so I never have to mow again.

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-59144713185305504422009-06-19T21:07:00.007-05:002009-06-19T22:45:34.069-05:00

My daughter is keeping a weather log, tracking temperature, humidity, rainfall amount, and wind direction each day, as well as the time of observation. We made a remarkably easy weather vane from scrap materials: some non-recyclable plastic packaging material that would have otherwise been garbage, a used drinking straw, and old pencil, and a pin.We used the plastic sheet instead of the manila

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-22573746390474654852009-06-18T22:58:00.006-05:002009-08-02T20:51:05.935-05:00

Precision in the kitchen is over-rated.1 c fruit puree, yogurt, or mixture of wet ingredients1/4 c ground flaxseed mixed into wet ingredients, or 1 egga few tbsp of canola oil2 c flours of your choice. Sub grain flakes at the ratio of 1c flakes = 1/2 c flour2 tsp baking powder1/2 tsp baking soda if fruit is acidic, or if yogurt is usedabout 1/4 c sugar, or 1/2 c if you like things sweet (or mix

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949235712813986560.post-79039620957284656092009-06-15T15:48:00.005-05:002009-08-02T20:51:12.757-05:00

"Mom, can I have another popsicle?""Yes!"about 1/2 pound of cleaned and sliced strawberriesabout 1/2 cup milk of your choice (dairy, soy, almond, etc), or juice, or waterBlend until smooth. Fills 6 small popsicle molds (made by Tupperware in the 1970s, and passed on to me by my mom). Probably fills about 4 modern popsicle molds. Freeze. Enjoy.

Rosemary Evergreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02483193911394773123noreply@blogger.com0