Weighing in: food vs exercise

A research group investigated the metabolic rate of a hunter-gatherer tribe and found it comparable to people that live a modern lifestyle, providing evidence for the theory that the food we eat - the type and quantity - matters more than exercise in overall body weight.

Hunter-Gatherer Energetics and Human Obesity
Hunter-Gatherer Clue to Obesity as reported by the BBC, with some quotes from study authors.

Organic tomatoes win!

Organic strawberries have been found to have higher levels of important nutrients, and a recent study has shown the same for organic tomatoes. 

Chocolate Chip Quinoa Cookies

Adapted from foodconfidence.com.
1 c cooked quinoa
1/2 c chopped blanched almonds
1 c old-fashioned oats
1/4 c unsweetened shredded coconut
2 T honey or maple syrup
1 t vanilla extract
2 T nut butter
1/3 c chocolate chips
1/4 t salt

If you quinoa is still hot, it will melt the chocolate chips when you mix it, so plan accordingly: if you want the chips to be whole, let the quinoa cool.  Mix nut butter, vanilla, and honey together in a small bowl and set aside.  Mix remaining ingredients and then add in the nut butter mixture until combined.  Roll into small balls and store in refrigerator or freezer (chill before eating).  Makes 2 dozen 1" cookies.

Notfried Pinto Beans

1 lb dry pinto beans
3 bay leaves
1/2 tsp cumin seed
1/2 tsp salt
1 green bell pepper
1 onion
ground cumin, oregano, salt to taste

Soak pinto beans and cook using your preferred method, with the measured salt, cumin seed, and bay leaves.  When the beans are done, preheat oven to 400.  Chop finely the onion and bell pepper and place each on a baking sheet (no oil needed).  Roast for about 20 minutes or until the pieces have lost most of their moisture and are beginning to brown (check every 5 minutes).  Strain beans, reserving liquid.  Puree beans with onion and pepper pieces, adding liquid as needed.  Season to taste with salt, oregano, and cumin.

Summer Reading Programs

Half Price Books: Read 300 minutes in a month, earn a $5 book credit.  Runs June 1 - July 31.
See link for downloadable reading log and more information.

Barnes & Noble: read 8 books, choose a free book from list.  Grades 1-6. 
Reading journal & more information available at link.

Rhubarb Custard Pie

Crust

5 dates, chopped roughly

1 c old-fashioned oats

1/2 c. pecan meal

2 T flax meal

3 T water

Preheat oven to 400. Mix flax meal and water in small bowl; set aside. Chop dates in food processor until very fine, then add oats and pecan meal and process until a coarse meal has formed. Add the flax mixture and combine. Press into oiled pie plate.

Filling

2 c. milk of your choice

1 T cornstarch in 2 T water

10 dates, finely diced

1 T maple syrup

3 eggs

1-2 c. rhubarb, finely chopped (1c. will be very subtle)

Place rhubarb in pie plate on crust. Heat milk; add dates, maple syrup, and cornstarch mixture. Cook gently, stirring occasionally. When the mixture has thickened and the dates are soft, puree with an immersion blender. In separate bowl, beat eggs. Whisk 1 T milk blend into the eggs at a time until tempered, then whisk in the rest and pour into the pie plate.

Bake for 10 minutes at 400, then 30 minutes at 350.

Non-food items to hide in plastic eggs

• coins
• erasers or other small desk items
• ribbons for hair, ponytail holders, etc
• puzzle pieces (thanks, Estelle!)
• poems about spring (in entirety, or cut into verses to sort later)
• funny poems for children
• notes to child
• scavenger hunt clues
• fortunes (fortune egg, instead of fortune cookie!)
• comic strips
• homemade coupons for fun family activities
• homemade coupons for special privileges