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End of Summer…
Harvesting the end of summer tomatoes, sweet peppers and fresh herbs to make a fresh pasta sauce. A little olive oil to cook the onion, garlic, and peppers with sprigs of thyme, oregano and basil. I just lightly cook the tomatoes so they hold their chunky shape, using Romas, a gigantic yellow tomato, and a…
Read MoreLarimer County Farmers’ Market, July 1 Always a line at Native Hill Farm’s Booth I make it a point to arrive early. The market opens at 8, runs til noon. When I arrive early, parking is not a problem, and even though there are lines of customers waiting to check out or be helped,…
Read MoreCoconut Oil
I’ve been using coconut oil for years now, and love it for medium temperature cooking. In spite of the bad press it’s received, it’s a healthy fat to use. Never stored as fat in the body, so not an “artery-clogging fat,” coconut oil is diverted to the liver where it’s converted to immediate energy. It…
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Healthy Mayonnaise?
Check the ingredients label on your Olive Oil Mayonnaise jar. The front label says “Olive Oil Mayonnaise.” But on the back, the first ingredient listed is soybean oil. Why? Because it’s cheap and olive oil is expensive by comparison, especially good quality olive oil. They know we shop by comparing prices, so they cut corners…
Read MoreColoradoan column about Salads
The paper didn’t print my whole column, left out the recipe. Here you go! Coloradoan Spring Greens It’s salad season! With the onset of warmer temperatures, why not experiment with some new and different lettuces and greens as the base for your summer salads? The leafy greens are some of the easiest vegetables to…
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Chile Peppers Explained
There is a bewildering array of chile peppers available to us at the supermarkets (and farmers’ markets later in the summer) varying from mild to hot to extremely hot. Not knowing the difference can result in a surprisingly spicy dish when we just want a little “kick.” Chile refers to an individual species of pepper,…
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Captivating Reads for Cold Snowy Days
Curling up on the couch in front of the fireplace on a winter’s day is one of the most delicious of pastimes. Here are some suggestions for books to find at your library or favorite bookstore that will engage all your senses: Mistress of Spices by Chitra Divakaruni. A literary look at the spices that…
Read MoreWhat is the Anti-Inflammatory Diet?
All of us benefit from an anti-inflammatory diet, but those with chronic inflammation caused by certain foods and ongoing stress benefit immediately and dramatically. Here is a place to start: Eat lots of vegetables and fruits. Focus on adding vibrant color to meals and snacks. Bright orange carrots and sweet potatoes; green leafy vegetables like…
Read MoreWarming Ginger-Turmeric Hot Vanilla
I first saw this recipe on Dr. Mark Hyman’s website, www.drhyman.com. But I revised it to make it simpler. It called for grated ginger and turmeric, which I think is unnecessary, and ground cinnamon and pepper, which can be a bit gritty. His recipe calls for almond milk, which is fine, but coconut milk is…
Read MorePortable Lunches
For kids who are back in school or parents who want a healthier and less expensive lunch, try some of the following suggestions. First, while there is nothing wrong with the good old brown bag, it doesn’t keep things from getting smashed, doesn’t keep hot things hot or cold things cold, and doesn’t have compartments that force…
Read MoreRandom Thoughts…
Artificial flavor in lemonade, real lemon in furniture polish. Alfred Newman Junk Food. It can either be junk or it can be food. It can’t be both. Dan Kittredge Consumption of soft drinks increased from 23.3 gallons to 54 gallons per person per year. In 2009, 25% of all vegetables eaten by kids were…ta da! …
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