Are we that thoughtless?

Mark Bittman on what's wrong with what we eat Video on TED.com

I came across this video, I would love to share it with you, I would love for us to see the big picture together. Would you take 20 minutes out of your day and allow this information to make small changes in the choices you make?

Check out his inspiring blog HERE.

...food matters, because you matter!

Neat Sweet Treat

Let's talk sugar subsitutes.

Many options are readily available in just about every grocery store these days. Once faced with chemical, albeit zero calorie, harmful replacements, a demand for natural food has brought to light many products which are not only sweet, but also nutritious. The best of both worlds? I think so! Diabetics have options too, not as many, I know, but for now I am speaking from a nutrition point of view only. And calories? My opinion is eat whole and healthfully, you'll be fuller longer and have less cravings, staying thin in the process.

Where chemical sweeteners like aspartame cause many horrible illnesses, like cancer, brown rice syrup can be used in all baking and brings low glycemic, high nutrient sweetness to your foods. When treats become a part of nutritious eating, we can enjoy them, without guilt, possibly for the first time!

Brown rice syrup is a good source of magnesium, potassium, manganese, iron and the B-group vitamins. Add organic brown rice cereal (fiber), 70% dark chocolate (antioxidants), and nuts (protein), you've got yourself an all around gorgeous dessert packed with all the right stuff

PRINTABLE VERSION

Brown Rice Crisp Treats

Makes 16 squares

1/3 cup natural, creamy peanut butter

1/3 cup organic brown rice syrup

1 tsp real vanilla syrup

3 cups organic crisped brown rice cereal

7 oz best quality 70% dark chocolate

1 tbsp unsalted butter

Prepare a double boiler by setting a glass or stainless steele bowl over a simmering pot of water, making sure the bowl does not touch the water and that no water gets into the bowl (steam or drops). Put the brown rice syrup, peanut butter, and vanilla into the bowl, stirring over the heat until evenly incorporated. Remove from double boiler, cool for one minute, then add in the brown rice cereal. Mix thoroughly.

Grease an 8 x 8 inch baking pan, lightly press the rice mixture evenly into the pan.

Set another bowl over the simmering pot, add the dark chocolate, gently melt, then add the butter. Pour over rice and quickly spread to cover the top of the rice.

Set in the fridge for about 1 1/2 hours, then cut into squares with a sharp knife.

Store in the fridge for up to two days.

Baaa

Making it through the Winter months flu-less is an accomplishment. Getting a bad head cold and vicious cough right at the break of Spring is down right ironic. Yet here I sit, I have no appetite, instead I cough, sneeze and hold cold fingers to my aching forehead. Cooking my father-in-law's birthday dinner was tricky, without a sense of smell.

Allow me to take you on a journey my girls and I had theprivilege of enjoying just yesterday. The absence of food is intentional, I simply can not think food at this time. Visiting with farm animals is always a great joy to my girls, visiting with ones that are literally hours old would be out of this world exiting for anybody. New friends Sue and her daughter Vanessa milk these ladies by hand every day, they sell this milk and also fresh goats cheese. I find myself with a million questions, but I hold back, as today we will enjoy the moment of new life.

Goats have big personalities, it surprised even me, so far I've judged them by their cover - a beautiful one, with big eyes, and baa's which bring out chuckles in even the most sophisticated city dweller. The white goat is their main milker, she produces 1 1/2 of rich milk every day. She also fits into the crowd, as though she was one us, or perhaps our family dog, hoping to catch a glimpse of three dark baby boys, perfect and hardly wobbly as they make their way to mama. Mama, gently guiding the babies with her horns, she was as nurturing as any new mom might be. Add to the mix a one month old, fluffy, white lamb named Dolly, mischievously toddler-like, playful and not the least bit shy. It was picture perfect. And I forgot about the discomfort of my aching body momentarily.