Inspriational Radio Broadcast - Didi Emmons and Eva's Garden

http://radioboston.wbur.org/2011/10/28/edible-weeds-evas-garden
Edible Weeds And Uncommon Herbs From Eva’s Garden By Meghna Chakrabarti

HealthyDiningFinder.com

Learned about this site today on the news, during an interview with a rep from the National Restaurant Association:

HealthyDiningFinder.com

They are working to get healthier dining options in restaurants for kids.

Organic vs. Non-Organic Produce Purchasing Guidelines

Great information! The new dirty dozen list of produce by Sarah B Weir(d) (just kidding)

Top 12 Dirtiest (Most Pesticides)
1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines (imported)
7. Grapes (imported)
8. Sweet bell peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries (domestic)
11. Lettuce
12. Kale/collard greens

Top 15 Cleanest (Least Pesticides)
1. Onions
2. Sweet corn
3. Pineapples
4. Avocado
5. Asparagus
6. Sweet peas
7. Mangoes
8. Eggplants
9. Cantaloupe (domestic)
10. Kiwi
11. Cabbage
12. Watermelon
13. Sweet potatoes
14. Grapefruit
15. Mushrooms

DesertJul's Fave Salad Dressing

Thanks to Cinda for posting about the Famous Gypsy Cab salad dressing recipe! Here is my current favorite salad dressing, this is for 2-3 servings:

• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Splash of apple cider vinegar
• Squirt of organic mustard
• Optional splash of olive oil
• Spoonful of honey
• Dash of Celtic Sea Salt and dash of pepper

This is a flexible recipe and you can adjust the amounts based on your palate and the type of salad. This is very tasty on any salad but especially a salad with mangoes and avocados.

:)

~julz

Cuban Food

Fun site recommended by my friend Marilyn, who recently visited Cuba on an outreach program from Florida : http://www.tasteofcuba.com/. There are lots of healty choices in Cuban food, and the Caribbean as a whole.

Got land now, building a raised garden bed

Now that I have a home and some actual land, I think I'm going to build a raised vegetable garden bed. I've got this old Hungairan neighbor, Colman, who has this AMAZING garden on a vacant lot. It has inspired me. SO, now I am collecting info on growing veggies in Zone 9. Here's the post I am leaning on alot to help me plan for planting:

http://centralfloridagarden.blogspot.com/2011/01/garden-planning.html

Menu - January 16-22

• Chicken with Artischoke, Ham, Peas in a White Wine, Onion, Garlic Sherry Chcken Cream (Touch of) Sauce with Linguine
• Pork Schnitzel with Red Cabbage and Potatoes
• Rigatoni Cubana (Spicy ketchup-based sauce with Sambala Oelek and Cream, Ham, Peas, Penne)
• Mushroom Risotto

New year...thinking about eating better, as always!

I am always thinking about it, but it doesn't often happen. I want to eat healthier! I think I might keep track of my weekly menus on the blog. Some weeks, my meal planning is stellar, most weeks it is not. Now that we've finally gotten settled into the new house, I have managed to spend the week eating homecooked food (alas, some of it was prepared by Publix, but I heated it up!). And it has been great! here's this week menu:

Chicken and Apple Sausage Jambalaya with yellow rice, black beans, onion, green pepper, corn, tomator with green chile. Serve with a dollop of light sour cream.

Marinated salad mix with chopped hearts of palm, black olives, feta, kidney beans, chick peas, peas, herbs, spices and olive oil/white balsamic. Serve over chopped romaine with garlic bread croutons.

Turkey with gravy, mashed sweet potatoes, corn, cauliflower with melted American cheese, cranberry sauce.

Chicken pot pie with blueberry muffins.

Multigrain bagels with hummus and cream cheese.