Posts from — November 2009

Back in October I wrote about the new “Smart Choices” food rating system that’s showing up in grocery store aisles across the country.  Any program that highlights Fruit Loops as a “Smart Choice” deserves serious scrutiny.  Take a look at this recent piece in the LA Times.

The program is now on hold because of the FDA suspects it might mislead consumers into buying processed foods that are high in sugar, sodium and fat.  USA Today is reporting this latest highlight.

Bottom line – don’t look solely at the front of a food package to make a purchasing decision.  Read the nutritionals and ingredients for yourself to see if the science supports the claims made on the front.

Shopping, cooking, living gluten free is no easy task, especially during the holiday season.  I’m always on the look out for decent, if not outstanding, gluten free alternatives to standard fare, no matter the holiday.

Take a look at this for some fantastic ideas for making this holiday gluten free bliss: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120503651

Did you know that our bodies benefit more from the disease-fighting antioxidants from fruits and veggies when we eat them together than when we eat them individually?  So – make yourself a salad!

My daughter’s school ran a babyfood drive last week.  In her eagerness to participate, she threw WAY too many jars in the grocery cart on a recent grocery store trip with Daddy (hmmm).  Needless to say, we had lots of left over ready-made veggie puree – at least that’s what my kids saw on the fridge shelf (not “baby food”).

So, what do they do?  Obviously, what any other normal American kids would do – MAKE MUFFINS!  Could I be prouder?

They used up the carrots, some squash and I think some sweet potatoes, added cinnamon, some maple syrup, and some random raisins they found in the pantry and voila, baby food muffins – I mean muffins with veggie puree.  I wish I could relay the exact recipe, but it faded from their memories after the 3rd or 4th muffins got swallowed.

Including lots of healthy foods in your repertoire is terrific, but proper storage and preparation can get you even more nutritional bang for your buck.

1. Keep the Peels ON -  The peels on many fruits and vegetables bestow huge benefits in terms of additional fiber and phytonutrients.

2. Extra Virgin Olive Oil is an excellent source of those good fats.  Recent studies have determined that it can lose a significant portion of its antioxidant properties if used after 6 months of storage.  There are brands that are date stamped, so look for one with recent production.  Also, make sure you keep your olive oil in a cool, dark location (not over the stove like I’ve been doing!).

3. Speaking of good fats, a little fat even helps with the absorption of nutrients from other foods.  Make sure you include hummus, olive oil based dressings, nuts or even avocadoes with your veggies for enhanced absorption.

4. When you’re craving fruits or veggies that aren’t currently in season, buy them frozen instead of “fresh” (shipped from a faraway land).  Frozen produce is packaged immediately after harvesting and retains more of its nutrients.

I’ll bet you’ve got even more tips for healthy eating year-round!

5.

Okay I’m more of a wine girl than a fan of the ale.  It has come to my attention, however, that folks who need a gluten free diet AND enjoy a good pint have had limited pickings.

Eurobrew is a British company that has developed a gluten free beer.  Blind tastings of St. Peter’s Sorghum Beer have resulted in rave reviews.  Read more about this product on http://www.celiac.com/articles/21833/1/SPeters-Gluten-Free-Beer/Page1.html.

I have a thing about the way #’s can have control over people – the number on the scale, the number of “dates” we have with our partners, the number on a W-2, the number of calories in every bite consumed.  My head hurts just thinking about the “heaviness” of some of that data.

Here is a woman who puts at least the calorie element in perspective.  I invite you to take a look at Peg Doyle’s sentiment on her website, http://wellnessandyou.com/Nutrition+Counseling.  She has a smooth way of presenting a topic many struggle with daily.

The Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show is taking place in Washington DC November 7-8 and Indigo Rabbit will be there!  Maybe we’ll meet some of our favorite personalities from the Food Network at this “premier consumer event of the nation”!

Cookie lovers often contact us at Indigo Rabbit to share their favorite cookie flavors with us.  Sometimes we’re even lucky enough to hear tips and new recipes from our cookie munching friends.

Some folks enjoy soft cookies.  Some folks enjoy their crispier cousins.  I, personally, love them all.  A gentleman from Cape Cod, MA contacted us today to describe how he placed his favorite Indigo Rabbit Gingerlicious cookies in the toaster to see what would happen.  He LOVED the crispy result.  Another loyal customer warms her favorites in the microwave and tops them with a swirl of whipped cream. 

When you come up with your own ingenious take on your favorite Indigo Rabbit goodies, we’d sure love to hear about your creations!