Wanted to share this recipe from the obamafoodorama food blog.
We tried this salad tonight and the simple dressing is delicious. We did add some left over baked chicken breast to the salad and it made a wonderful, light meal.
Biggest Loser White House Salad
Ingredients1 head of fresh lettuce, wash, dry and cut into bite size pieces
1 cucumber peeled, and cut into bite sized pieces
2 fresh in season tomatoes, wash and cut into bite size pieces
¼ red onion, peel and cut as thinly as possible
1 bunch fresh basil, wash and chop into big pieces
4 tbsp lemon juice
1/3 cup olive oil
1 tsp honey
Salt and pepper to taste
Combine lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions in large mixing bowl.
In sealable container, combine oil, lemon juice, honey and salt and pepper. Cover container and shake vigorously. Add dressing to salad and serve immediately.
06 November 2009
03 November 2009
The Way I Grew Up...
I received an email today from a friend that hit home with me and I wanted to share.
Paul Harvey Writes:
"We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I'd like better.
I'd really like for you to know about hand me down clothes, homemade icecream and leftover meatloaf sandwiches. I really would.
I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated.
I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car. And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.
It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your old dog put to sleep.
I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.
I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother/sister. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when he/she wants to crawl under the covers with you because they are scared, I hope you let them.
When you want to see a movie and your little brother/sister wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him/her.
I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely.
If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make on instead of buying one.
I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.
When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.
I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on a boy/girl, and when you talk back to your Mom that you learn what ivory soap tastes like.
May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.
I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it. And if a friend offers you a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend.
I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with Grandma/Grandpa and go fishing with your Uncle.
May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays.
I hope your Mom punishes you when you throw a baseball through your neighbour's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.
These things I wish for you-tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness.
To me, it's the only way to appreciate life."
Paul Harvey Writes:
"We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I'd like better.
I'd really like for you to know about hand me down clothes, homemade icecream and leftover meatloaf sandwiches. I really would.
I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated.
I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car. And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.
It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your old dog put to sleep.
I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.
I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother/sister. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when he/she wants to crawl under the covers with you because they are scared, I hope you let them.
When you want to see a movie and your little brother/sister wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him/her.
I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely.
If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make on instead of buying one.
I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.
When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.
I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on a boy/girl, and when you talk back to your Mom that you learn what ivory soap tastes like.
May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.
I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it. And if a friend offers you a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend.
I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with Grandma/Grandpa and go fishing with your Uncle.
May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays.
I hope your Mom punishes you when you throw a baseball through your neighbour's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.
These things I wish for you-tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness.
To me, it's the only way to appreciate life."
02 November 2009
INSPIRATION
"BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD."-GANDHI
I always try to keep that quote in mind.
I have to believe that every small change that I make is making a difference.
Compared to the 'norm' in society, my husband and I have always pretty much lived within our means. We are no where near perfect. There have been times when we were lured in by the latest technology or gadget or going ahead and purchasing something in the name of convenience instead of making do without or figuring out a cheaper way. We used to eat out a lot more than we do now. I got my groceries in plastic or paper not in my canvas bags. But all in all we've done well and are continuing to learn and grow.
I feel really good about all that we do for our health, for the earth, for the future. I grew up watching my grandparents live sustainable lives and I know it can be done. But when I really look at what we do and what more we could/should be doing I get a little frustrated.
I not only get frustrated with myself but with 'the others' who just don't seem to care what happens in the future or to the planet or to their own health for that matter.
I get frustrated because until the farmers are offered the big bucks to grow organic, food instead of the large corporate businesses that are producing genetically modified food full of chemicals it is hard for me to find the quality food that I want to provide to my family. I get frustrated because I can sit and watch television for one hour and see six different commercials for some type of pharmaceutical drug. I get frustrated when I tell someone at work that the salad they are about to order from that particular place has 2000 mg of sodium alone yet they don't seem surprised or upset and buy it anyway taking no control of their buying power.
I have to constantly remind myself that what I believe and what I am trying to do is worth it and that I am not alone. There are others out there trying to live a better life too.
I get inspiration by visiting the blogs of people with goals and aspirations similar to my own. i get inspiration by the books and television shows that are starting to appear that help teach me the things I need to know to continue. Most of all, I find inspiration from my family and friends that compliment me on my home grown tomatoes or herbs, or gush over my home cooking.
When I over heard my mother tell another family member that I was just like my Grandmother...that made it all worth it.
What inspires you to continue?
I always try to keep that quote in mind.
I have to believe that every small change that I make is making a difference.
Compared to the 'norm' in society, my husband and I have always pretty much lived within our means. We are no where near perfect. There have been times when we were lured in by the latest technology or gadget or going ahead and purchasing something in the name of convenience instead of making do without or figuring out a cheaper way. We used to eat out a lot more than we do now. I got my groceries in plastic or paper not in my canvas bags. But all in all we've done well and are continuing to learn and grow.
I feel really good about all that we do for our health, for the earth, for the future. I grew up watching my grandparents live sustainable lives and I know it can be done. But when I really look at what we do and what more we could/should be doing I get a little frustrated.
I not only get frustrated with myself but with 'the others' who just don't seem to care what happens in the future or to the planet or to their own health for that matter.
I get frustrated because until the farmers are offered the big bucks to grow organic, food instead of the large corporate businesses that are producing genetically modified food full of chemicals it is hard for me to find the quality food that I want to provide to my family. I get frustrated because I can sit and watch television for one hour and see six different commercials for some type of pharmaceutical drug. I get frustrated when I tell someone at work that the salad they are about to order from that particular place has 2000 mg of sodium alone yet they don't seem surprised or upset and buy it anyway taking no control of their buying power.
I have to constantly remind myself that what I believe and what I am trying to do is worth it and that I am not alone. There are others out there trying to live a better life too.
I get inspiration by visiting the blogs of people with goals and aspirations similar to my own. i get inspiration by the books and television shows that are starting to appear that help teach me the things I need to know to continue. Most of all, I find inspiration from my family and friends that compliment me on my home grown tomatoes or herbs, or gush over my home cooking.
When I over heard my mother tell another family member that I was just like my Grandmother...that made it all worth it.
What inspires you to continue?
01 November 2009
I have started watching Planet Greens show The 100 Mile Food Challenge. I haven't read the book yet, but it is now on my list because I am really enjoying the show. While I was watching it the first night my husband came in and wanted to know what it was all about. After I explained to him the details his remark was 'you mean they don't have a Wal Mart or Kroger within 100 miles?' Yes folks, sad but true.
Now in all fairness to my husband, he is a wonderful man, with wonderful characteristics. He does care about food quality, the earth and many other things but he doesn't do the cooking or the shopping so he just doesn't think about food in the same way that I do. Sadly, his way of thinking goes along with millions of others who only look at the grocery store as their source of food.
We have been eating a lot of organic/local meals but that was easier when the garden and farmers market were full of fresh local fruits and veggies. I am just learning to can and preserve so my stash is not that big this year. I will be reading up on it this winter and learning as much as I can so that next year I will be prepared when the fresh fruits and veggies are abundant.
Watching the show made me think about my location. My biggest problem isn't necessarily that my 100 mile area doesn't grow most of the things that we need. My problem has been locating these individuals that do so and are willing to sell their goods. I have a place within the 100 miles to get grass fed beef at a great cost but I cannot find anyone with local milk, cheese or eggs. This is a rural area with many Amish and Mennonite families, I know there has to be somewhere that I can get these products. I just have to keep searching. Searching and learning.
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