Organic, Ethical Eaters & Other Crunchy People Gro

I have a garden growing this year with all my favorite vegetables. yellow summer squash (already two forming), zuchinni, mesclun lettuce (two plantings so far) tomatoes, peppers and lots and lots of green beans growing in a couple of places including the front lawn. I have some kale too, some broccoli I miss-timed (I'm new). I"ve left a spot open for late summer plantings of broccoli and spinach which I hope to keep into the late fall.
That, and the farmers market where I have a great supplier of other things, I have high hopes for sustainable eating!

I'm worried because the farmer who grows my produce is possibly leaving his land. The landlord is trying to sell, and so the farmer is going to move the operation to the northern part of the county. It has been so wonderful to be able to walk to get my CSA half share each week. Keeping my fingers crossed that an investor with organic leanings will swoop in.

I belong to a winter CSA which in my area (New England) doesn't have much local this time of year, but it is an all organic share. This week a celeriac and a daikon appeared in my share and I made an amazing slaw with a mint, meyer lemon dressing. (the mint was local and so was the egg in my dressing). So tasty!!!

I feel your "itch"... I have food allergies which can result in hives if I'm not overly attentive to reading labels. While it may not be "crunchy", a good anti-itch lotion that is steroid-free is SARNA. You can buy it anywhere, OTC. after trying everything, It's the only thing that gives me relief, in the moment.

Huh! I didn't think of an oatmeal bath! I have some minerals and Vit C to help the process along and some calendula to ease the itches. Trouble is it is Humidity central here in tropical Melbourne (aust) and these babies just don't want to heal. May go get some oats later on.

Jenny, get thee to an oatmeal bath!
Feel better.
fran

The farmer's market is closed so I've been going to Whole Foods for organic vegetables and my bulk items. It's not ideal, but the food has been really good. Next year, I plan to have some cold frames so I can keep my own greens growing.

Holy Scratches, I have hives! I have just been (itch) clearing out some more (itch scratch) bad-ish foods from my diet, and my detoxing liver/body has blessed me in return with hives. (scratch scratch scratch grrrrrr!)

I Loved finding this team! I would like to learn from you all. Hopefully, I may bring some sort of humor if nothing else.
Revisiting vegetarianism (again). Well, sort of. I do eat some fish here and there.
Looking forward to getting to know you.
Peace,
fran

Coach Nicole shared this article on FB today, which I thought was interesting. There's a group of Doctors suing the USDA and the USDHHS for maintaining the traditional food pyramid in the face of growing scientific evidence that a plant-based diet is 'more healthy'.

"Could a vegetarian food guide pyramid be in our future?"
www.orlandosentinel.com/health/os-do
ct
ors-alternate-food-pyramid-20110106,R>0,2779088.story

Did they survive?

The freeeezing temps have taken out the lettuce and spinach. I am hoping they will somehow revive?

At a kid's nature morning at our local community farm I was given some tomato seedlings. Finally have put them in and looking forward to the harvest.

Also have joined my local LETS group. (cashless 'energy' exchange)

There's lots of food and seed swaps happening in my area at the moment. It's great to see the 'eat/buy local and seasonal' thing growing. What's happening in your area?

I am new too! I recently decided to start eating more organic, local food. I have always loved the farmers market but now that pregnancy could be within the next few years I feel like it is time to get serious about being healthy, cutting out the crazy chemicals and doing my body (and the world!) right.

Hi everyone! I'm new to this team, but I am very happy to have found a team that shares my feelings about organic, humane, and local food sources...you know what they say: think globally, act (and eat!) locally!

I just picked up 60 pounds of local organic grassfed beef yesterday and am looking forward to a delicious grilled steak tonight with butternut squash soup and stuffed tomatoes from our CSA!

I'm new to the team today. I live in Derbyshire, ENgland. We have our organic veg delivered every week and it's the centre of my food world. All our recipes depend on what we get. The energy of the food is divine and the quality fab. Delicious!
We don't have space to grow anything and there is a huge waiting list for allotments. My husband leads a campaign and is working with local government to establish new allotment sites. With peak oil we all need to source our food more locally.
Thanks for a great team with a topic so close to my heart!

I made mint lemonade a couple of days ago too! I am embarrassed to say that our five tomato plants are producing about 20+ pounds of low acid tomatoes each week and I can hardly keep up! I also have squash and tomatillos coming out of my ears. And it's so hot here (100 more or less each day) that I do not want to cook.

Hi there, I buy my vegetables from the local market, I used to buy them from the store, but frankly they are more tasty from the farmers.

Last week I bought garden fresh mint and tomatoes and I made a mint lemonade with honey and tomatoe sauce.

Another good option (about $25) is Easy Yo http://www.yogurt2you.com/products/?id=354
8

You put milk and yogurt starter (just a spoon of active culture yogurt works) in the inner container, fill the thermos to the mark with boiling water, seal and wait 12 hours (or so).

Woo Hoo! Farmers Market season hits Wisconsin, urban gardening initiatives are under way in my highly unemployed hometown, AND I just found out there's a food coop effort being worked on for my city! I'm feeling very good today.

Message Removed

I just use a 1 gallon thermos to make yogurt in. No need to use unnecessary electricity so it saves on the carbon footprint, too

Hmmm... there's an interesting idea. I've never made yogurt in a crock pot before. I have one of thost 1970-80s electric yogurt makers. Bought it at a yard sale for like $2. Works great.

Hey guys!

I've been listening to this podcast recently, and I've found it to be pretty informative and entertaining.

http://EarthEats.org - I think it's done by Indiana Public Radio.

I'd like to try yogurt in the crock pot sometime, but haven't yet. Good luck with it!

Yogurt in the crock pot ROCKS!!!
We don't buy all organic but there are some things that we do insist on....milk is the biggest one. I can't get local milk here so I buy it in the grocery store. We buy the 4L bags and it is about double the cost of other milk but we don't drink it fast enough for it to last. We freeze some but turn most of it into yogurt.
I have found that if you have a 'warm' setting on your pot (not low....just warm)and leave that setting on for the first few hours after you've wrapped/inulated your pot for the overnight/8h rest that it is even more tangy and thick which equals more YUMMY!!
Let me know how it works out for you.

How did your yogurt turn out, ZAHNASGRANDMA? I've made my own yogurt using other methods but haven't tried making it in a crockpot.

I got an e-mail from Eden Foods today announcing their new catalog. It has a lot of information. If you're interested in viewing a pdf or ordering a print copy (free), here's the link www.edenfoods.com/mediacenter/catalo
g.
php?ref_src=email&ref_id=20100407

Edited by: PATTK1220 at: 4/20/2010 (11:07)

I am making yogurt in the crock pot, has anyone ever make it?

Welcome, Munchie! This is a fun team with great tips and info!

Curious here: Has anyone checked out organicliason.com ? Kirstie Alley's new organic weight loss support plan? (not sure what to call it, as I've not examined it that closely yet).

Let me know what u all think.

Lisa in CA

I'm new & wanted to say "hi." I'm a long-time vegetarian and have been transitioning over the last year or so to a less-processed & more organic/local diet. It's been slow, but it looks like I'll get some great suggestions & tips here.

Sorry to hear about the fire. I live in Texas, but your farmer is in my thoughts.

Winningspark-Could it be that the organic produce you are buying is more local? We sell at the farmers market, and people constantly comment on how long our produce stays fresh. I've always attributed that to the fact that it is picked that day or at most the previous day, while the produce in the grocery store has probably been in transit for a while.

To anyone who might be in Chicago, especially south-side:

My farmer, who raises her animals naturally on her family farm, had a fire this week and needs all the support she can get. She comes to Hyde Park (at 52nd and Blackstone -- there's a little cul de sac called Harper's Court) from 11 - 1 on Sundays.

Their products list is here: http://www.cdfamilyfarms.com/what-s-in-sto
ck

As I buy more and more organic vegetables, I'm noticing that they last longer (i.e. stay fresh longer) than the non-organics. So that means we have been eating all this stuff before with all these preservatives that actually spoil quicker???? That's just really messed up and even more affirming about buying organics.

Do other people notice this or have I just been lucky?

Thank you for the Newman's Own popcorn tip. I was really struggling trying to figure out how to replace my popcorn. You'd think I'd just look in the store for options but it's much more fun reading tips!!

I went to my very first Farmer's Market last week and I am loving the food. It feels so healthy to eat organics. Thank-you for all of the things I'm learning here. This is a wonderful team.

Hi Juliet,
Since I started SP in July, I have been buying only organic, non-processed foods at the grocery store and at the local organic market. I do go out to eat, though, so I am not 100% by any means. I looked at your blog on blogspot and it is great! Beautiful pictures! What a great idea. I don't know if anyone mentioned this, but sea salt is a form of unprocessed salt. I buy Eden Celtic Sea Salt. It tastes great! Lots of organic canned goods are made with sea salt as an ingredient, instead of table salt, which is processed with chemicals. Also, popcorn is not just popcorn! If it is not organic, it most likely is genetically modified (GMO) corn, which is not "processed"per se, but the seeds themselves have been genetically modified by Monsanto. Newman's Own brand makes a good organic, non GMO popcorn. If it is organic, it will also be non GMO. I have been eating organic, non GMO foods since July and I can tell a difference--less problems with digestion, less congestion, more energy! Good luck to you on your journey! You are an inspiration for me to continue on mine.

Julet, I just created a thread in the general team discussion forum for this team. I called it "Eat Food, Mostly Vegetables, Not too much."

That sounds great, Debbie! Do you know how to set one up?

I love those books, and eating food is a cornerstone of my goals for the year. I'd love to join you with this challenge!

Perhaps we could start of a thread in this group to track this.

Last year I lost about twenty pounds (gained a few back over the holidays ... of course) by cutting calories, giving up soda, and becoming a runner.

Last summer, I read "Omnivore's Dilemma" and "In Defense of Food" and became a little obsessed. So when it was time for this new year's resolution, I decided to give up processed foods for one whole year. I'm following Pollan's "algorithms" and blogging about it (http://julieteatsfood.blogspot.com) mostly as a way to keep myself accountable.

I'm really excited about this year, and though I know it'll be a challenge, it's a challenge which is going to come with a lot of delicious, fresh, local, whole, wonderful foods ...

Anyone else doing something similar? I'd love a community of mutual supporters!

Thank you for the email and reminder to participate in the team discussions. The holidays have kept my sparking to a minimum, and I have missed reaching out and participating in my teams. 2009 was a year for healthy eating for me, in form of buying non GMO, organic foods and cutting way back on meat. I have felt much better overall, have had more energy and have lost weight. I plan to continue in 2010 with cooking and eating wholesome food!

Hi Everyone! Best wishes for the new year to all of you! let's hope 2010 brings much love and laughter to all, as we travel this road together.

This year our team is going to have a few challenges - mostly around our foodie theme, but all directed toward meeting our personal goals.

Do you have resolutions? post them!
Do you have some weekly small, specific goals? These are always helpful in changing habits and working towards bigger goals.

I am going to visiting your pages this year, to see how you are going. I hope we can all help each other!

Specifically, if you have enjoyed a new goal-related recipe, please share them.

Remember, you ALL have something worthwhile to give this group, and to take from it. I hope we are all more involved, and more adventurous, and more successful, in 2010.

Don't forget to welcome new members, and to respond to people's posts - even it's just a quick word. It all means we know we are not alone! (but don't feel you have to do everything for everyone - we are not superheroes!)


Edited by: SUNPANTHER at: 1/2/2010 (17:40)

I just planted my first "crop" of the year - strawberries. The lemons on the tree are just starting to ripen. I need to figure out how or if to prune the grape vine. Planning ahead now for spring!

I want to invite everyone interested to join the 21-day vegan challenge sponsored by the Physicians for Social Responsibility. The challenge stars on New Year's Day and is completely free. Included are recipes, menus, nutritional advice, support boards, and celebrity tips from vegans like Alicia Silverstone.

See the internet address on my blog. I have been working on going vegan for some time after discovering that dairy and asthma don't mix well--at least for me.

Trailhappy, thanks for the ideas on tofu. I'll have to try it!

Hi all! A couple thoughts on topics already mentioned.... On cleaning: A fellow volunteer at my local co-op said she uses lemons to clean her house. I have started using them, too, and they're perfect! Just slice a lemon in half, and scrub. Gets rid of messes and scours gently. When one half gets dirty, use the other! Then wipe down with a warm, moist rag. Done! And everything smells like real lemons instead of lemon-scented chemicals. :)

On tofu.... I have only cooked a bit with tofu, but one of my favorite ways to eat it is to slice the firm kind relatively thinly, and press it between paper towels to dry it. Then, heat some soy sauce (optional; adds flavor) and sesame oil (or whatever oil you prefer) and fry the pieces. Keep separate from other stir-fry ingredients until ready to eat. Then toss; this keeps the tofu more intact and crispier rather than too soggy. Also, it's really good in hot and sour soup.

Have a wonderful day!

Hi! I would like to start eating better and need some advice on getting started. I put a post under the 'New' section explaining my lifestyle some so you'd have an idea how to point me in the right direction. TIA. Marie

I've never cooked with tofu either - but a friend has served me scrambled eggs with tofu mixed in. I don't remember it being remarkable either in texture or taste, but I also don't know what if anything she did to it before adding to the frying pan! Will be interested in any replies.

OK. I was wrong. That was definately not fun! It was horrible. I didn't know what I was doing. But I will learn. I am not vegetarian yet, but my daughter and I are both interested in coming such. I need to learn more about tofu. I like tofu products, Morningstar Farms especially. I just have no experience with cooking with it. I have heard about wonderful smoothies and such with the silken variety. That sounds easy enough, especially with berries? But what to do with the firm? I cubed it and added to stirfry but did not care for the taste at all. As for my daughter, it was the texture. Hmm. Any thoughts?

I bought my first packet of seitan this week. I found this recipe for Seitan Piccata and it turned out excellent. My meat eating boyfriend also enjoyed it.

http://www.recipe.com/seitan-piccata/

Just bought my first ever package of tofu, firm. Will stirfry tonight with some veg for dinner. Wondering how best to season? How much? Be fun finding out! LOL

Stephanie,

If you have the choice of restaurants, pick one that serves local/organic foods. Stay away from bar/grills and chain restaurants. Eat grilled foods and get a side of veggies rather than fries.

Good Luck,

~Melissa

hi there you guys! :-)

hope everyone is having a happy monday!

could anyone give me tips about eating out. i usually do not, but sometimes i have to when i am at work with some of my clients.....as in todya..... any ideas on what the better choices are?

Thanks guys
stephanie

Hi, Juliet
I am new to this forum, and have been absent from SP for a while (oh, dear). Regarding your question: may I suggest Canada`s Food Guide? (you don't have to be Canadian). There is a page entitled My Food Guide Servings Tracker which will tell you how many servings of each food grouping, and (most importantly) the amount that constitutes a serving. There are no calories to count, you just eat the right number of servings per food group per day. It makes it a whole lot easier if you don't want to eat prepared and prepackaged foods.

Best of luck!

Hi everyone

Musgral8 and dotslady: I was tested for celiac but it came back negative- nevertheless, my endo says I have a "sensitivity" to gluten and I'm to avoid it when possible. I didn't know you could be "sensitive" to gluten without being full-on celiac. But for my health's sake, I indulge in gluten free products/cooking now and then.

I was wondering if anyone else has seen the documentary "FOOD, INC.", and what you thought of it? My fiance has completely freaked out, and hasn't touched meat since we saw the movie 2 weeks ago. We are trying to be more "flexitarian" right now, as a result.

Your thoughts?

Hi Musgral8 - If you've just been diagnosed with celiac disease, then maybe once your gut heals the other allergens will get better. I hope you reach your goals! Congrats on your upcoming wedding.

Hi everyone! I'm new to the team and thought I'd introduce myself. I'm Ashley, and have had a lot of problems with foods since I was 10. I've slowly been diagnosed with multiple food intolerances over the years and the latest news is that I have celiacs disease. Because of this I don't eat corn products, tomato products, or anything with gluten in it. I cook from scratch A LOT! I was also an environmental science major with an environmental ethics minor and am going for my Masters in Landscape Architecture. I have a giant garden in my backyard, an herb garden, and my Fiance and I both volunteer at our local Co-op store and frequent the farmers market. I was so excited when I found this group because I'd love to get in touch with other people who also try to live and eat as ethically as possible; so hello to my fellow crunchy granolas!

Adoptmom - re: Crohn's, I've been reading a lot the past couple months about probiotics and gut health. Have you read it helps Crohn's? The good bacteria/probiotics adhere to the epethelial cells lining the intestines preventing bad bacteria/disease and leaky gut (Crohn's is pretty leaky, yes?). I know there are specific strains of probiotics which help different gut problems. Here's a google search if you're interested: bit.ly/qO9th .

Also, I've read that METHYLcobalamin is a better utilized (? not sure that's the right word) form of B12 compared to CYANcobalamin. just fyi. :)

Hi THATJULIET. My tip: just go cold turkey whole foods! Why not?

Hi, all!

I'm Juliet, and I just joined the group! I read "Omnivore's Dilemma" earlier this year and recently finished "In Defense of Food". Before these books, I'd never really considered processed food or the way it might be changing our bodies. Since then, I've done my research, joined my local CSO, begun shopping at the farmer's market.

I'm committed to ethical eating and cutting out the uber-processed, super-refined foods that foster the current industrial food complex. And I believe what Michael Pollen says about nutritionism and getting too hung up on particular nutrients instead of eating a wholesome, ages-old cuisine.

The problem is, I've been pretty successful at losing weight using supports like Lean Cuisine, skim milk, and calorie-tracking. In fact, I don't know how to lose weight WITHOUT tracking calories; I'm not even sure you can. And it's definitely easier to track calories when they're listed on the back of the cereal box.

Since I'm new to this lifestyle, and want to continue losing weight while eating ethically, locally, and whole, I'm looking for some help. Anyone have any tips about continuing to steadily lose weight while switching to a diet of whole foods?

Hi everyone! How are you all enjoying the summer, if that is what you have! I am in the middle of winter - sharp,chilly mornings and mostly sunny days, this week. The frost unfortunately, has all but killed my potato crop. I think I shall add another layer of straw perhaps, to try and protect it from any further damage. Any ideas from the veg gardeners out there?

Jenny

No problem. Good luck!

Tami

Thanks for the awesome advice Tami!

You can buy sublingual B12 tablets at any health store. Just be careful and get GOOD quality ones. Capsules won't do you much good as they don't absorb very well, you have to get the ones you dissolve under the tongue. I buy vegetarian B12 tabs at GNC or Whole Foods and take them 3 times a week per my doc's instructions. I'm not a vegetarian but I have crohn's and i'm missing the part of the intestine where the B vitamins are absorbed. I also take a daily B complex tab.

Just be sure to keep yourself "up" on B12. You don't want to get into a situation where you have to get the shots. They SUCK! There's just no other way to describe it.

Tami

Edited by: ADOPTMOM1 at: 5/27/2009 (13:57)

Hi Everyone,

I'm new here.

I consider myself a vegetarian but I eat mollusks. I do not eat dairy, eggs or gluten.
I am currently thinking about eliminating the mollusks I eat them mainly for B12. So until I find a good source of B12 - which I am investigating now.

I care a great deal about the environment and am happy to have found a team that has like goals in mind

Lose140- Grapefruit has alot of strange properties. There are many medications that have a no grapefruit warning on them. Not sure what's in it that causes the reaction but it's there.

Tami

Hello all! I'm just getting back on SparkPeople. I actually started this group when I was on SparkPeople a couple years ago. I love SP and don't know why I left! But I'm back and that's what counts.

Just wanted to drop in and say hello to everyone.

Kalina

I was looking through all the posts, since I am new to this team. I was wondering if there was a thread on making your own household cleaners. Does anyone here do that?

Thanks for the info.

I grew up on a dairy farm, so it was impossible to believe dairy was a problem. Whenever I ate citrus and fiber foods, especially nuts, I got UC flareups for years. I never connected it to dairy.

After I got off all dairy, the other problems went away slowly in a few years. I now believe the milk was the aggravator. After a dairy free decade, my gastroenterologist says I now have no signs of active UC. The only foods I can't eat is grapefruit. A major bowlful of raw spinach also causes problems, but not like grapefruit. Wish I knew why just these two foods. I have not found any research.

Yes, I have a wheat intolerance but it does not create UC flareups. I get instant weight gain so I limit my consumption, as this is a sign of intolerance.

Our genetics are all different, our stress levels, our environment, and the foods we eat. Lots of variables.

Lose140- My cousin's wife was misdiagnosed as having UC for years before they discovered it was actually allergies to MSG and BHT. That's interesting about the crohn's patient on the vegan diet. Usually, it's the opposite because we can't tolerate all the fiber. Just goes to show you that each person's journey through the disease process is very different. I can deal with milk, no problem, although I don't really drink fluid milk because I don't like it. Processed milk products like cheese, yogurt and buttermilk don't effect me. Raw things like broccoli, mint, basil and iceberg lettuce are murder!

It doesn't surprise me that you have issues with dairy though. Wheat is another one that people with UC and crohn's tend to have problems with. Many also have celiac disease.

My youngest daughter is already fairly lactose intolerant so I'm weaning it out of our diets when it comes to cooking. I can tell a difference in our sinus issues. Some of our friends use raw milk but we don't actually like milk enough to test that theory. We do raise alot of our own food including eggs and pigs. I'm not ready to take on cows or even twice a day milking of our goats though.

Tami

Hi! I'm new to this group. I'm looking forward to reading through all of the posts and moving towards a healthier lifestyle.

Tami and others with digestive diseases --
For twenty years I was deathly ill with ulcerative colitis, a cousin of Krohn's disease. I took high doses of prednisone for many years. Twelve years ago I went to CA institute and got off all milk, cheese, all dairy, whey, lactose.

I have off all meds and have never visited an emergency room again. I recently met a very young man with Krohn's. He also seems much improved on a strict vegan diet, especially no dairy.

By the way, I grew up on a dairy farm. My parents were innocent - they did not know the foods they gave me were killing me for 49 years. I am so happy to be healed and happily still alive, as I was near death a few times from ulcerative colitis.

I did a marathon at age 52 after I was healed.

Just goes to show how important our food is to our health.

Hi! I am new to this group. A while ago I was pretty stict veg (leaning toward vegan). I met a new friend who said she was veg too, it turns out she was a junk food veg (ate stuff like doritos, etc.) and I picked up some bad habits and it wasn't log until I was eating the old regular way again. Really want to get back into my healthier habits and I am hoping this group will help me find my way back again. Just don't go by what is currently on my nutrition tracker. Anyway, nice to be here!

Thought I would stop by and say hello. I found this group on another group through Coach Nicole mentioning it. Look forward to looking at the contents and getting to know people. I was born and raised in St. Louis and one of my grandfather's owned lots of land which was a dairy farm and also both sides of grandparents had acres of veggies and fruits growing on the property and of course grandmother's canned. I grew up eating healthy without even knowing it! As times changed and I moved to California I still enjoyed the healthy life style that was part of the 60's and onward. I have lived in Boston for the past 10 years and I do not like the taste or non-taste of the beef here, and lots of foods are bland, they do not know what al- dente means and thank god for Whole foods, Harvest Market and Trader Joe's! I mostly do my own cooking so I do know how to spice food I make and I hardly ever eat out, but I am also looking for other receipts and ideas to make eating healthy and taste good!

I mostly make homemade "chili sauce" which is like a sweet salsa. We use it as a basis for sloppy joe and BBQ sauce.

Tami